SLC MAJOR LEAGUE TIER A SUPER EIGHT
By Srian Obeyesekere
NCC, who are second in the points table, were in a strong position scoring 341 for 5 against table leaders the CCC having won the toss and elected to bat with opening batsman Lahiru Udara Igalagamage striking yet another century in the ongoing tournament at the P. Saravanamuththu Stadium on Thursday. He struck 111 inclusive of 16 boundaries and shared in a third wicket alliance of174 with Mahela Udawatte who made 77 off 150 balls studded with 6 boundaries and 2 sixes. The total was boosted by a 124-ball 88 P. Chathuranga de Silva who thumped 10 boundaries. The contest between the two top contenders in the points table could expectantly be an interesting contest for top honours.
Saminda Fernando 92, Ragama CC 294/5 Maul Army SC
Meanwhile, Ragama CC, fresh from their comprehensive win against Colts CC last week, went on the rampage against the Sri Lanka Army SC running up a formidable 294 for 5 after taking first lease on the toss of the coin at the CCC grounds. Leading the run onslaught in putting the Army bowling attack to the sword were opening batsman Saminda Fernando who clobbered 92 off 95 balls hitting14 boundaries and 2 sixes while Roshen Silva followed up his match winning 67 against Colts with another forceful knock of 80. Toying with the Army bowlers Roshen smote 80 in his 180-ball knock inclusive of 10 boundaries. Nishan Madushka Fernando chipped in with a 110-ball 56 containing 10 boundaries.
Withanawasam 94 in BRC’s 319/6 Vs. Saracens SC
BRC were 319 for 6 on the opening day of the Sri Lanka Cricket Major League Tier A Super Eight third week match against Saracens SC after being put in to bat at the FTZ Sports Complex, Katunayake.
The top scorer was Shanuka Dulaj Withanawasam with 94 off 142 balls containing 15 boundaries and a six while the next best contributions were from Ravinda Pravinath Wijesuriya who was unbeaten on a 112-ball 64 hitting 9 boundaries and Nisal Franscisco 52 off 70 with 8 boundaries and a six.
Santhush Gunathilaka 74 in Colts 308 Vs. Chilaw Marians 53/0
At the SSC Grounds Colts CC put in to bat were all tut for 308 versus the Chilaw Marians CC with Santhush Gunathilaka the main run getter with 74 off 114 balls hitting 9 boundaries. However, the side could not have been happy that the rest of the top order failed with only Sadeera Samarawickrema getting in to double figures. It took the lower order to prop up the total with No.8 Dilruwan Perera the second best scorer with 58 off 80 balls inclusive of 6 boundaries and 2 sixes while No. 7 Sangeeth Cooray made 38 off 61 filled with 8 fours.
Chilaw Marians made a sound reply reaching 53 for no loss in 11 overs with Croospulle on 38 off 33 striking 5 boundaries and a six while Oshada Fernando on a cautious 12 off 35 balls with 2 boundaries.
SUPER EIGHT:
AT THE P. SARA STADIUM
NCC 341/5 (89 overs) RR: 3.83
(L.U. Igalagamage 111, P.C. de Silva n.o. 88, , M.L. Udawatte 77, S.S.D. Arachchige n.o. 35, W.U.Tharanga 16, P.L.S. Gamage 2/35)
AT THE CCC GROUNDS
RAGAMA CC 294/5 (90 Overs) RR: 3.26
(S. Fernando 92, A.R.S. Silva 80, K.N.M. Fernando 56, J. Liyanage n.o. 17, H.I.A. Jayaratn
n.o. 5)
AT FTZ SPORTS COMPLEX, KATUNAYAKE:
BRC 319/6 (90 Overs) RR: 3.54
S.D. Withanawasam 94, R. Wijesuriya n.o. 64, N. Francisco 52, P.D. Dias 39, P.B.B. Rajapaksa 33, D.D. de Soysa 26, S.N. Peiris 2/83)
AT THE CCC GROUNDS
COLTS CC 302 (72 Overs) RR: 4.19
(S. Gunathilaka 74, M.D.K. Perera 58, M.M.M.S. Cooray 38, A.M. Fernando 5/87, S.T. de Silva 2/65)
CHILAW MARIANS CC 53/0 (11 Overs) RR: 4.81
(Lasith Croospulle n.o.38, B.O.P. Fernando n.o. 12)