The hotly-contested AIA Premier League Tournament 2015/16 recommenced on the second day of the New Year with 6 matches being worked out in the Week 5 at multiple venues in Colombo and its suburbs.
CCC vs SL Ports Authority
On a decent batting surface, both teams lost 26 wickets as the game is on the balance at CCC grounds.
After being bowled out for a mere 92, CCC came back strongly to dismiss the visitors for only 128. The hosts’ lead the game by 72 runs with 4 wickets remaining at the end of day one.
CCC – 92 all out in 30 overs: Sachith Pathirana 25, Lahiru Udara 20, Chanaka Komasaru 6/29, Aravinda Premaratne 2/22, Chaminda Bandara 2/21.
SL Ports – 128 all out in 26.4 overs: Gihan Rupasinghe 83, Sachith Pathirana 5/32, Hasitha Wickramasinghe 2/42, Lakshan Sandaken 3/33.
CCC (2nd inn) – 108/6 in 26.1 overs: Andy Solomons 34*, Damith Priyadharshana 29, Aravinda Premarathne 2/21, Harsha Rajapaksa 2/0.
Galle vs SSC
Three half-centuries guided Galle to a massive 341 for 5 before bad light intervened play at SSC grounds.
Nisal Randika, Rumesh Buddhika and Chamara Silva completely annihilated the SSC bowling attack with aggressive half-tons. Dasun Shanaka was the most-impressive bowler for the hosts.
Galle – 341/5 in 69.5 overs: Nisal Randika 69, TM Sampath 38, Rumesh Buddhika 85, Chamara Silva 91*, Harsha Vithana 31*, Dasun Shanaka 4/62.
Tamil Union vs Ragama
Tamil Union posted a mammoth 413 for 8 against a lackluster Ragama bowling unit at P. Sara Oval grounds.
Dhananjaya De Silva top-scored with 91 while his school-mate from Richmond College Sithara Gimhan making his first-class debut scored 76. Experienced skipper Jeewan Mendis blasted 82.
Tamil Union – 413/8 in 90 overs: Dhananjaya De Silva 91, Sithara Gimhan 76, Jeewan Mendis 82, Manoj Sarathchandra 59, Ramith Rambukwella 29, Sanjaya Fernando 3/68, Amila Aponso 2/97, Chathura Peiris 2/80.
Saracens vs Chilaw Marians
All batsmen good off to starts as Saracens piled on 252 for 7 at stumps on day one against Chilaw Marians at FTZ grounds in Katunayake.
None of the batsmen crossed the 50-run mark apart of young Sangeeth Cooray who made 53. Right-arm seamer Lahiru Gamage picked up 4 scalps.
Saracens – 252/7 in 88 overs: Sangeeth Cooray 53, Chanaka Ruwansiri 43, Gamindu Kanishka 35, Umesh Karunaratne 35, Lahiru Gamage 4/89, Saliya Saman 2/25.
Colts vs Badureliya
Colts amassed 315 for 7 on the back of two fifties by Hashan Dumindu and Sadeera Samarawickrama against Badureliya CC at BRC grounds.
Former Sri Lanka under 19 representatives were dismissed by left-arm spinner Dulanjala Mendis after Sadeera and Hashan made 65 and 86 respectively.
Colts – 315/7 in 82 overs: Sadeera Samarawickrama 65, Hashan Dumindu 86, Dilruwan Perera 38, Priyamal Perera 33*, Dulanjala Mendis 3/67, Imesh Udayanga 2/77.
NCC vs SL Army
Left-arm spinner Chamikara Edirisinghe captured 7 for 57 as NCC bundled out the Soldiers to only 190 at Army grounds in Panagoda.
Asela Gunaratne battled alone with a fighting 67 for the hosts’ but it was Edirisinghe’s brilliant display of slow left-arm spin which stood out on day one. NCC were 61 for 4 in their reply.
SL Army – 190 all out in 56.5 overs: Asela Gunarathne 67*, Dushan Vimukthi 38, Shalika Karunanayake 30, Chamikara Edirisinghe 7/57.
NCC – 61/4 in 23 overs: Jehan Mubarak 39*, Nuwan Liyanapathirana 2/13.
All six matches will be continued today (3rd December) for second day’s play.
