Two games of the Singer-MCA Premier League 2021 were worked off today (27), in which John Keells Holdings and Hayleys PLC recorded wins. Two other games were also worked off over the past weekend.
John Keells Holdings vs CDB Finance PLC
A headline-grabbing comeback unfolded at the NCC grounds today as the national discard, Kusal Mendis, scored a magnificent hundred for his corporate team, JKH. Mendis was supported by a fellow National star, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, who is also currently sidelined from the national team.
Rajapaksha too played a vital knock of 71 runs in JKH’s merry way to 314 runs in their 50 overs against CDB Finance PLC.
CDB Finance put up a gutsy chase, courtesy Muditha Lakshan. Lakshan, who is just out of school, played a brilliant hand for CDB with 104 runs to his name, even though he was unable to get them over the line. With this hundred, the 20-year-old moved to the top of the most run-scorers table.
Even though they had the luxury of over 300 runs on board, the JKH bowlers were disciplined with their attack which made sure that there was no risk involved. Experienced Ishan Jayaratne was the prime wicket-taker for them with 4 wickets to his name.
Brief Scores
John Keells Holdings 314/8 (50)
Kusal Mendis 110, Bhanuka Rajapaksha 71, Ashen Bandara 41, Lahiru Milantha 24, Madushan Ravichandrakumar 3/65, Tharindu Rathnayaka 2/48, Lahiru Gamage 2/53
CDB Finance PLC 260 (45.5)Muditha Lakshan 104, Lahiru Udara 47, Damitha Silva 33, Lahiru Madusanka 26, Ishan Jayarathne 4/31, Bhanuka Rajapakshe 3/40, Dhananjaya Lakshan 2/46
JOHN KEELLS WON BY 54 RUNS
Hatton National Bank vs Hayleys PLC
A thrilling low-scoring encounter between these two teams resulted in favour of the Hayleys group, as the team brewed out the best from a classic combo of youth and experience.
Veteran off-spinner Dilruwan Perera proved his worth by picking up a fifer for Hayleys, which depleted the CDB batting line-up to the thinnest strings. A 3-wicket haul from the young and exuberant left-arm seamer Kalana Perera meant curtains closed for HNB with just 175 runs on board.
Jehan Daniel, another sensational up-and-coming Cricketer, scored a resilient 76 runs for HNB.
There definitely have been better chases in the game’s history, but this was good enough to make Hayleys the table-toppers. Vishad Randika scored an unbeaten 63 runs as Hayleys won the game with 2 wickets intact.
Brief Scores
Hatton National Bank 175 (43.3)
Jehan Daniel 76, Madawa Warnapura 26, Sandun Weerakkody 21, Lakshitha Rasanjana 20, Dilruwan Perera 5/33, Kalana Perera 3/19
Hayleys PLC 176/8 (46.4)
Vishad Randika 63*, Kavishka Anjula 48, Avishka Fernando 26, Madawa Warnapura 3/32, Lakshitha Rasanjana 2/31
HAYLEYS WON BY 2 WICKETS
These four teams played against alternating opponents over the past weekend, 25th April, in which HNB and Hayleys emerged victorious.
Nuwanindu Fernando (69), Lahiru Udara (63) and Sandun Weerakkody (52) scored half-centuries in the two games, while the fast-bowling all-rounder Lahiru Madushanka’s fifer was the pick of the bowling. Young offie Lakshitha Rasanjana also impressed with 4 wickets to his name.
Brief Scores
Hatton National Bank vs CDB Finance PLC
Hatton National Bank 200 (48.2)
Sandun Weerakkody 52, Ayana Siriwardana 32, Naveen Fernando 22, Lakshitha Rasanjana 21, Madawa Warnapura 21, Lahiru Madusanka 5/31, Tharindu Rathnayaka 2/39
CDB Finance 190 (44.4)
Lahiru Udara 63, Damitha Silva 30, Lakshitha Rasanjana 4/47, Chamindu Wijesinghe 2/31, Naveen Gunawardena 2/37
HATTON NATIONAL BANK WON BY 10 RUNS
John Keells Holdings vs Hayleys PLC
John Keells 195 (48.5)
Manelker De Silva 37, Nipun Dananjaya 30, Dananjaya Lakshan 30, Sachintha Pieris 23*, Kavin Bandara 21, Nuwanindu Fernando 3/32, Kalana Perera 3/27, Lahiru Samarakoon 2/30
Hayleys 200/8 (39.2)
Nuwanindu Fernando 69, Ron Chandraguptha 46, Lahiru Samarakoon 29, Vishad Randika 28, Sachintha Pieris 3/40, Chamikara Edirisinghe 2/29
HAYLEYS WON BY 2 WICKETS
, in which John Keells Holdings and Hayleys PLC recorded wins. Two other games were also worked off over the past weekend.){kind=link}