SLC MAJOR LEAGUE TIER ‘A’ SUPER EIGHT

By Srian Obeyesekere

Ragama CC dismissed Colts CC for 163 runs to take a first innings lead of 95 runs and closed the second day’s play on 190 for 6 for an overall lead of 285 to set the tempo for an interesting finish on the third and final day. Opening batsman Lahiru Thirimanne came good with a steadying knock of 63 off 142 balls hitting 6 boundaries while Roshen Silva  also got in to the thick of runs with a top score of 67 off 111 balls hitting 3 boundaries and 2 sixes.  Thirimanne and Roshen, two Sri Lanka discards, fighting to be counted in the future big stakes, were associated in a 127-run third wicket alliance to pull their side out of the rut from 46 for 2. Given the formidable lead and closing on the 300 mark, Ragama CC has certainly played themselves in to go for the kill badly needing a win.

Colts CC’s hopes were dashed when the heroes of last week overnight batsmen Angelo Mathews and Santhush Gunathilaka did not last long falling for 22 and 33 respectively.

NCC TRAIL BY 41, BUT HIT BACK, BRC 42/5 SECOND INNINGS

The BRC versus NCC encounter boiled up in to an absorbing contest after NCC having trailed by 41 runs, turned it on its head by grabbing 5 BRC wickets for 42 runs with opening bowlers D. Gunaratne and Lahiru Kumara claiming 2 for 5 and 3 for 31 respectively

But it took NCC a tremendous comeback from a wobbly 89 for 5 as opener Lahiru Igalagamage held his nerve to stroke a 125-ball 90 containing 11 boundaries and found a redeemer in  No.8 Chamila Karunaratne who virtually demonised the BRC attack clobbering 93 off 97 balls studded with 5 sixes and 7 boundaries.

The turn around has put the onus on the remaining BRC batsmen mainly first innings centurion Bhanuka Rajapaksa to steady the ship. Just 83 runs on much will depend on the inform BRC skipper to reproduce the form that saw him gallop to a whirlwind century in the first innings.

Given the scenario,  one cannot ask for a better trapping on the third and final day to a contest that has seesawed.

CCC RALLY TO 307/7 AFTER TRAILING SARACENS BY 41

Table leaders CCC having trailed Saracens SC by 41 runs in the first innings however rallied to post 307 for 7 in the second essay of the second day’s play with Abeyratne making 88 off 147 balls with 9 boundaries and a six in the Super Eight match of the Sri Lanka Cricket Major League Tier ‘A’ at the SSC Grounds on Sunday. He was well supported by Lahiru Madushanka who struck 63 off 81 with 5 boundaries and 3 sixes. The duo were associated in a 128-run alliance for the sixth wicket. Upfront, opener Minod Bhanuka struck a breezy 37 off 46 balls inclusive of 8 boundaries.

Saracens speedster Kasun Rajitha followed up his first innings 5 for 63 with 4 for 84.

SL ARMY SC REDUCE CHILAW MARIANS TO 85/5 SECOND INNINGS

The Sri Lanka Army SC having made 216 and trailing Chilaw Marians by 53 runs, reduced the Marians to 85 for 5 in their second Innings at the P. Saravanamuththu Stadium. Doing the damage was leg spinner Seekuge Prasanna with a 4 wicket haul for 40. It left Chilaw Marians in bother leading by just 138 runs with 5 wickets remaining.

Resuming from a wobbly overnight 5 for 2, the Army owed much to former Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal who struck a composed top score of 62 off 99 balls with 8 boundaries to pull his side out of trouble. Skipper Asela Gunaratne chipped in with a sedate unbeaten 43 off 99 balls with 4 boundaries while Mahesh Kumara made 36 off 93 with 2 boundaries.

SUPER EIGHT:

AT CCC GROUNDS

RAGAMA CC 258 (63 Overs) RR: 4.09 128 runs

(Saminda Fernando 73, Nishan Madushka Fernando 57, Udara Jayasundera 30, Lahiru Thirimanne 29, Janith Liyanage 25, Ishan Jayaratne 17, Akila Dananjaya 4/24, N.G.R.Prabath Jayassuriya  3/76, Santhush  Gunathilaka 2/36)

And 190/6 (57 Overs) RR: 3.33

(Roshen  Silva 67, Lahiru Thirimanne 63,Saminda Fernando17, Nishan Madushka Fernando 13, Prabath Jayasuriya 3/51, Akila Dananjaya 2/34)

COLTS CC 163 (O/N 76/2) (57.3 Overs) RR: 2.83

(Santhush Gunathilaka 33, Prabath Jayasuriya 27, Angelo Mathews 22, Dilruwan Perera 20,  Sadeera Samarawickrema 14, Avishka Fernando 14, P.W.S. Dulshan 6/45)

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AT THE FTZ COMPLEX, KATUNAYAKE

BRC 316

(Bhanuka Rajapaksa 115, Duvindu S. Tillakaratne n.o. 53,)

And 42/5

(S.D. Withanawasam 15, Mohamed Shiraz n.o.10, Lahiru Kumara 3/31, D. Gunaratne 2/5)

NCC 275 (65.2 Overs) RR: 4.2

(Lahiru Igalagamage 90, Chamila Karunaratnde 93, Sahan Arachchige 26, Lahiru Kumara 14, Niroshan Dickwella 13, Duvindu S. Tillakaratne 6/63, Hashen Ramanayake 2/44) 

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AT SSC

CCC 142 (40.4 Overs) RR: 3.49

(Minod Bhanuka 92, Kasun Rajitha 5/63)

And 307/7 (74 Overs) RR:4.14

(L. Abeyratne 88, Lahiru Madushanka 63, Ron Chandraguptha 39, Minod Bhanuka 37, Kusal Mendis 21, Kasun Rajitha 4/84)

SARACENS SC 183 (O/N148/7) (49.3 Overs) RR: 3.69

(Milinda Siriwardena 89, Chamikara Edirisinghe 34  5, D.S. Thilakaratne 10,  Lahiru Gamage 5/29, Vishwa Fernando 3/37)

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AT P.SARA STADIUM  

CHILAW MARIANS CC 269 82.3 Overs RR: 3.26

(Shehan Jayasuriya 95 , Pulina Tharanga 41)

And 85/5 (23 Overs) RR: 3.69

(Kamindu Mendis 22, Oshada Fernando 19, Rumesh Buddhika 16, Seekuge Prasanna 4/40)

SRI LANKA ARMY SC 216 (O/N 5/2) (70 Overs) RR: 3.08

(Dinesh Chandimal 62, Asela Gunaratne n.o. 43, Mahesh Kumara 36, Asitha Fernando 4/71, Nimesh Vimukthi 2/39)