SLC MAJOR LEAGUE TOURNAMENT: CCC win title for record third consecutive year defeating Tamil Union on ‘the first innings by a margin of 111 runs in a high scoring final that produced 1227 runs at the Sinhalese Sports Club Grounds during the week-end. CCC amassed 669 in response to Tamil Union’s 558. In a tremendous display of holding their nerve under pressure CCC’s batting machine came good with the trio of Chamindu Wijesinghe 139, Kamindu Mendis 105 and skipper Ashan Priyanjan 100 rising to the occasion. At one stage CCC was on the ropes at 288 for 5 before Wijesinghe joined his skipper in adding 207 in a decisive sixth-wicket run orgy that swung the game their way.
The final took off on a thundering note with Tamil Union’s batsmen going on the offensive having opted to take first lease on winning the toss with skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama lashing a blistering 188 opening the innings off 243 balls powered by 18 boundaries and a six. The SSC track proved to be a batsman friendly run paradise with run making coming freely even on the fourth and final day as bowlers from both sides finding little help from the pitch. It was well demonstrated by Tamil Union racing to 145 for 4 in just over one hour with Ravindu Fernando smashing 56 off 32 packed with 6 boundaries and 3 sixes and Samarawickrama 43 off 37 inclusive of 6 boundaries.
Chamindu Wijesinghe’s gallantry with the bat by his 246-ball top score for CCC was highlighted by 13 boundaries and 2 over the top, an effort that earned him the coveted Player of the Final award. Kamindu Mendis’ ton upfront off 149 balls and decked with 16 hits to the ropes was a class act in carrying CCC’s fight back. Ashan Priyanjan’s 192-ball 100 containing 9 boundaries was sturdy stuff in bringing his side back right into the game and the championship title a third time to boot and of course Rs. 1 million prize money.
CHIEF SCORES: Tamil Union C&AC 558 (Sadeera Samarawickrama 188, Isuru Udara 88, Navod Paranavithana 54, Ron Chandraguptha 48, Kasindu Pathiratne 46, Dilum Sudeera 32, Vishwa Fernando 4/100, Lakshan Sandakan 4/128). AND 145/4 (Ravindu Fernando 56, Sadeera Samarawickrama 43).
CCC 669 (Chamindu Wijesinghe 139, Kamindu Mendis 105, Ashan Priyanjan 100, Pavan Rathnayake 86, Lasith Abeyrathne 48, Minod Bhanuka 75, Nimesha Gunasinghe 33, Malinda Pushpakumara 27, Lakshan Sandakan 24, Ravindu Fernando 6/160).
