Lahiru Udara hit a third ton in three first-class games to extend his tremendous run of form in the format.
Lahiru Udara's last five first-class innings: 261, 126, 20, 94, 100*
Playing for Nondescripts Cricket Club in the Major League Tournament, Udara hit 94 and 100 not out against Colts Cricket Club in the final round of the Super Eight stage. Though his side conceded the first-innings lead, the opener only added to his great form, taking his tally across the last five innings to 601 runs.
Udara’s golden run started with a massive 261 against the Police Sports Club in Galle, and he followed it up with knocks of 126 and 20 against Bloomfield in Colombo, before the 194-run aggregate across two innings against Colts CC in Pallekele. All of these knocks have come in a space of 17 days between March 13 and 30.
Against Colts CC, Nondescripts CC batted first, with Udara and Niroshan Dickwella (54) adding 105 runs for the opening wicket. The former added another 112 runs with captain Kamil Mishara before getting dismissed for 94. Mishara remained not out on 187 while the rest of the batting line-up struggled to hang around.
Ahan Wickramasinghe (20) provided some support, with the duo adding 56 runs for the fourth wicket, while Mishara also found help in No.7 Kavindu Pathiratne (30), together constructing a 70-run partnership. But the right-arm pacer fell just before stumps on Day 1 and Nondescripts were eventually bowled out for 431.
Super Eight - Match 15, Nondescripts Cricket Club vs Colts Cricket Club
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Riding on centuries from Dinesh Chandimal (144) – his 38th first-class ton – and No.8 Sanoj Darshika (100), Colts CC, who once looked in danger of falling short when they were reduced to 273-6 after Chandimal’s dismissal on Day 2, eventually took the first-innings lead, declaring on 441-8.
Udara, opening the batting on the last day with the match meandering towards a draw, raced his way to a 90-ball ton, his 19th in the format. The two captains chose to shake hands after the Sri Lanka Test opener got to his century. This was the third time he had gotten into double digits in three games, and his fourth 50+ score during this period.
Udara’s aggregate of 601 runs in five consecutive innings doesn’t even get close to the world record, however; Bill Ponsford scored 1,146 runs in five back-to-back first-class innings in 1927-28.
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