By Srian Obeyesekere
Colombo Cricket Club defeated Panadura Sports Club in a high scoring final by 6 wickets to emerging champions of the Sri Lanka Cricket driven Major Clubs T20 Tournament last night under lights at the CCC Grounds capped by the winners opening batsman Lasith Croospulle dictating terms by a brilliant 38-ball 78 bathed with 5 to the stands and 6 boundaries in reaching 174 for 4 wickets in 17.4 overs in overhauling Panadura’s 172 for 8 off 20 in what boiled down to a one-man showdown early on with the inform 20-year old Vishen Halambage coming good by the brilliance of a 37-ball 73 showcased by 6 to the stands and 5 boundaries in what proved to be the innings of the tournament .
Halambage’s knock was truly valiant having shouldered a 4 for 32 setbacks after Panadura SC was put into bat to adding 64 for the fifth wicket with skipper Dushan Hemantha 16 when he fell to Isuru Udana snapped up by Nishan Madushka with the score 96 after 11.5 overs having accounted for more than three quarter of the score.
It took a ninth wicket 55 partnership between Senitha Halambage unbeaten on a cameo 36 off 17 heightened by 3 over the top and an equal number of boundaries and Vishwa Lahiru 20 off 18 with a solitary boundary to lift the side from the rut of 117 for 7 after 15.1 overs when CCC was poised to making light of the innings.
CCCs pacer Vishwa Fernando was spot on with 2 wickets for just 7 runs off his 3 overs with Chathuranga de Silva cashing in with 2 for 26.
CCCs chase suffered a first ball setback when Nishan Madushka was sent back by Nimesh Vimukthi who had him snapped up by Sahan Mihira.
But that was as far as Panadura would go with Lasith Croospulle joined by Dulnith Sigera 38 off 34 with 4 boundaries and a six putting CCC well on course to victory by a 106 stand after 11.2 overs when the latter was taken out by Nisala Tharaka who had him edging to wicket-keeper Sasindu Malshan. Eight deliveries later Panadura got the big wicket of Croospulle for 7 caught by Lahiru off Senitha Halambage with CCC 123 for 3 after 12.4 overs. It brought the experienced CCC and former Sri Lanka skipper, the imaginative all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga who settled the affair racing to 25 off 13 hitting a six and 2 to the ropes in the company of elder brother Chathuraga de Silva 20 off 10 hammering 2 to the stands after Inuka Karannagoda had been trapped leg before wicket for 7 by Panadura skipper Dushan Hemantha when the score was 147 into the first delivery of the 16th over.
Chief Scores:
Panadura SC 172/8 (20 Overs)
Vishen Halambage 73, Senitha Halambage n.o. 36, Vishwa Lahiru 20, Dushan Hemantha 16, Gimandu Malkan 14, Vishwa Fernando 2/7, Chathuranga de Silva 2/26, Inuka Karannagoda 1/17, Wanindu Hasaranga 1/35, Isuru Udana 1/51)
CCC 178/4 (17.4 Overs)
Lasith Croospulle 78, Dulnith Sigera 38, Wanindu Hasaranga n.o. 25, Chathuranga de Silva n.o. 20, Nimesh Vimukthi 1/26, Nisala Tharaka 1/28, Dushantha Hemantha 1/33)
