A top batting performance from Gala captain Josh Irvine and the debuting overseas professional, Upul Indrasiri was enough to secure Gala an emphatic 120 run win in their opening Border T20 cup match away to Hawick on Thursday.
After winning the toss, Irvine decided to bat with Sid Siddhu and Indrasiri opening up. The pair made a positive start before Siddhu was unfortunate to be bowled by Hawick opener Stewart for 14. Indrasiri and Irvine then put on a magnificent partnership as they accelerated the Gala scoring. Both batsmen were looking in fine form, finding the boundary at regular intervals. Indrasiri in particular, playing his first match in Scotland, looked comfortable.
He was eventually out caught off the bowling of Ryan Johnston after making 68 runs from 49 deliveries on debut. The Gala captain followed soon after, running himself out looking to squeeze every last run from Gala’s innings. He made an excellent 75 from just 51 balls.
Dinesh Tharanga (2*) and Scott Paterson (7*) both finished unbeaten as Gala ended on 186 for 3 from their 20 overs.
Hawick’s reply got off to a shaky start with Liam Skeldon, continuing his excellent form with the ball, removing Johnstn for a duck. Hawick’s Stuart Hair and Gareth Welsh then put on a good partnership before Robbie Irvine removed the former. This proved to be the only partnership of any substance for the home side as Gala continued taking wickets at regular intervals. Skeldon went onto pick up 1 more before Indrasiri rounded off what was an excellent debut by taking r Hawick wickets. Ross Patterson claimed the last of Gala’s 8 wickets as the home side finished on 66 for 8 from their 20 overs, giving Gala a 120 run win.
Gala’s next Border T20 fixture is on the 8th of July away to Selkirk. The match will also double up as the Rae Nichol Memorial Trophy match.
GALA INNINGS
S.Siddhu b L.Stewart 14
U.Indrasiri ct E.Hair b R.Johnston 68
J.Irvine run out 75
D.Tharanga not out 2
S.Paterson not out 7
Extras – 20
Gala 186 for 3 from 20 overs.
Hawick Bowling
L.Stewart 4-0-27-1
S.Hair 4-1-29-0
R.Johnston 4-0-31-1
G.Welsh 3-0-29-0
D.Anderson 2-0-14-0
P.Rayner 2-0-25-0
E.Hair 1-0-24-0
HAWICK INNINGS
S.Hair ct G.Ormiston b R.Irvine 12
R.Johnston ct G.Ormiston b L.Skeldon 0
G.Welsh not out 18
E.Hair ct F.Rutherford b L.Skeldon 5
B.Sutherland LBW U.Indrasiri 9
L.Stewart c+b U.Indrasiri 3
B.McTaggart b U.Indrasiri 0
D.Anderson b U.Indrasiri 1
P.Rayner ct F.Rutherford b R.Patterson 5
D.Solley not out 9
Extras – 3
Hawick 66 for 8 from 20 overs.
Gala Bowling
R.Irvine 3-0-15-1
L.Skeldon 4-1-8-2
S.Paterson 3-0-15-0
U.Indrasiri 3-0-8-4
C.Ormiston 4-0-7-0
R.Patterson 3-0-11-1