Left-arm spinner Chamikara Edirisinghe took 6 for 18 as Nondescripts Cricket Club defeated Sinhalese Sports Club by 121 runs to win the second semi-final of the AIA Premier Limited Overs Tournament 2015/16 played at R. Premadasa International Stadium on Thursday.

Photo Album – SSC V NCC – 2nd Semi-Final – Premier Limited Overs

The 24-year old former Maliyadeva College spinner bowled his best spell in List A cricket as SSC were wrapped up for just 87 in chase of 209.

NCC will now meet the defending champions, Colts CC in the grand final scheduled on 30th December at the same venue.

SSC stand-in-captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to field first. The aggressive NCC openers, Niroshan Dickwella and Upul Tharanga put on 28 but off-spinner Ramesh Mendis and experienced fast-bowler Dilhara Fernando removed both of them in quick succession.

Two young guns from Kandy, Sandun Weerakkody and Nimesha Gunasinghe steered the NCC innings with a valuable 69-run stand for the 3rd wicket before Dilhara saw the back of top-run scorer, Weerakkody for a well-made 44 off 53 balls.

Jehan Mubarak made a quick-fire 23 to improve the run-rate but double-arm spinner Tharindu Rathnayake clean bowled him in the 30th over.

The 20-year old Gunasinghe anchored the innings during his 89-ball 39 while hard-hitting Angelo Perera and skipper Farveez Maharoof made 33 and 22 respectively. After being 205 for 6, NCC lost their last 4 wickets for just 3 runs as Dilhara Fernando completed his 4th List A five-wicket haul.

With most of the regular players on national duty, SSC opening pair of Kavinda De Thissera and Dimuth Karunaratne lasted only 11 balls as the former’s timber were disturbed by Edirisinghe for no score.

In-form Karunaratne (15) and wicket-keeper batsman Minod Bhanuka (14) got off to steady starts but they were unable to convert them into match-winning scores.

After being 43 for 2, SSC slid dramatically to only 87 as Chamikara together with part-time off-spin Jehan Mubarak destroyed their Maitland Place neighbours. Incidentally lower-order bat, Kasun Madusanka top-scored with 16 as the depleted SSC innings was ended in the 27th over handing a convincing victory for NCC.

NCC – 208 all out in 48.2 overs: Sandun Weerakkody 44, Nimesha Gunasinghe 39, Jehan Mubarak 23, Angelo Perera 33, Farveez Maharoof 22, Dilhara Fernando 5/30, Tharindu Rathnayake 2/43.

SSC – 87 all out in 26.1 overs: Kasun Madusanka 16, Dimuth Karunaratne 15, Chamikara Edirisinghe 6/18, Jehan Mubarak 3/20.