Workington Pro Vishva Chathuranga Leads Kendal To Northern Premier League Cup Victory
Workington professional Vishva Chathuranga delivered a remarkable individual performance as Kendal secured the Northern Premier League Cup with a convincing victory over Chorley at Carnforth.
Chathuranga featured as Kendal’s substitute professional in the 40-overs-a-side final and made a decisive contribution with both bat and ball. He first tore through the Chorley batting order before producing an explosive innings that took Kendal comfortably beyond their target.
The match got underway slightly later than planned after persistent drizzle affected conditions around Carnforth. The rain did not last, however, and brighter weather eventually allowed the final to proceed with much improved conditions.
Chorley won the toss and opted to bat first, following the usual preference at Carnforth Cricket Club. Kendal’s bowlers quickly settled into their work and kept the opposition under pressure throughout the innings.
Harry Barclay provided some resistance for Chorley with a score of 35, while substitute professional Ruhan Pretorius also made an important contribution with 40. However, neither was able to build the substantial innings Chorley would have needed to establish a strong position.
Chathuranga was the standout performer with the ball. Operating as Kendal’s substitute professional, he claimed three wickets for only 15 runs from his four overs, with all three dismissals coming consecutively to complete a hat-trick.
Kendal’s disciplined bowling effort restricted Chorley to 131 all out, leaving the side well short of the sort of total they would have hoped to post in a 40-over final. The target gave Kendal a strong opportunity to control the second half of the contest.
Kendal’s response was aggressive from the outset, with Chathuranga taking centre stage once again. The Workington professional attacked the Chorley bowling and maintained a remarkable scoring rate as Kendal moved rapidly towards victory.
He finished unbeaten on 93 from only 51 deliveries, striking eight sixes and seven fours during an outstanding display of power hitting. His innings ensured that Kendal reached the required total in just 17.3 overs.
Kendal completed the victory with eight wickets still in hand, underlining the dominance of their performance across both innings. Chathuranga’s contribution effectively shaped the final, with his hat-trick restricting Chorley before his batting display ended the contest in emphatic fashion.
The performance also provided another strong indication of Chathuranga’s value during his time in Cumbria. Workington have been impressed enough with his contribution to retain him as their professional for the following season.
Across league and cup cricket for Workington, Chathuranga has accumulated 995 runs during the campaign. His record includes six half-centuries and three centuries, while he has maintained an impressive batting average of 52.37.
That tally places him second in the relevant batting averages, behind Furness professional Pramod Maduwantha. Maduwantha has scored 1,006 runs and has benefited from 16 unbeaten innings, giving him an average of 152.29.
For Chathuranga, the final provided a particularly memorable addition to an already productive season. His ability to influence the match with both disciplines proved decisive as Kendal secured the Northern Premier League Cup in impressive fashion.
The result also highlighted the strength of the performances being produced by players representing Cumbrian clubs, with Chathuranga’s display providing a standout example of the impact an accomplished professional can have in a major cup fixture.
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