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Thomian bowler Meshad Pieris 'called for throwing'

Hitherto unknown Thomian bowler Meshad Pieris was 'called for throwing' twice in the final over as Royal cruised to a seven-wicket win and regain the 'Mustang Trophy' after a lapse of two years in their 24th limited-over game in the series at the SSC grounds, Maitland Place yesterday.

The Thomians were bundled out for 111 in 41.2 overs, while the Royalists replied with 117 for 3 in 36.3 overs.

Meshad Pieris was brought in to ball the final over of the game. In the very first ball he was 'called for throwing' and again in the third ball too where Royal's skipper Thushan Amarasuriya whacked him for a six over mid wicket for the winning runs. Amarasuriya was unbeaten on 27 and hit four boundaries as well.

Earlier, openers Ravi Pieris and Malinda Thotuwilage put on 63 runs for the first wicket. The former was run out foolishly for 25 made off 67 deliveries, while the latter went on to make 36 before Meshad Pieris held on to a well judged catch at mid on off Suranga Pieris. His 36 came off 84 deliveries and included four boundaries. Thotuwilage was given two ``lives'' at 12 and 20 by Meshad Pieris in the slips off Lakmal Fernando and by Lakmal Fernando at extra cover off Suranga Pieris' first over.

The Thomians who took first lease of the wicket after winning the toss, scored at a rate of less than three runs an over which was pathetic to see in a limited-over game. Lakmal Fernando and Gihan Fernando tried to accelerate the scoring rate, but were unfortunately out.

The most successful bowler for Royal was their right-arm medium-pacer Harshana Rajakaruna who claimed 3 for 17 in nine overs, while skipper Thushan Amarasuriya chipped in with 2 for 15 in eight overs with his medium-pace. Mubarak Harith Rajakaruna and Ruchira Jayasuriya captured one wicket each.