JOIN USAlready out of the semifinal contention, it was a consolation win for the Sri Lankan side, who hadn’t won a match so far.
Wayamba put up a modest total of 144 for six and then bundled out the Kiwi side for a paltry 70, riding on Udana’s spectacular hat-trick that came in the third over of the Districts’ innings.
Udana removed Brad Patton (1), Mathew Sincliar (0) and George Worker (0) in his second over to trigger a batting collapse.
Udana first dimissed Patton caught behind in the fourth ball and Sinclair was stumped down the leg side off a wide delivery. The left-arm paceman then bowled Worker to trigger wild celebrations.
The New Zealanders never recovered from the deadly setback and could not even bat for the quota of 20 overs, as they were skittled out in only 15.3 overs. Spinner Ajantha Mendis (3/14) was also successful as Kiwi side cut a sorry figure, heading home without any win.
Bevan Griggs (19) was the highest scorer for the Central District as only four batsman reached the double digit mark. Earlier, the Sri Lankan batsmen also struggled but small contributions from from most of the players helped them set a modest target.
Mahela Jayawardene (20) and Mahela Udawatte (23) steadied the Lankan innings after the early fall of Jeevantha Julatanga (6). Skipper Jehan Mubarak was top scorer for Wayamaba with a 26-ball 31.