The three teams from the forces once again cruised to easy wins in their 5th and final first round fixtures of the Women’s Division I Limited Overs Tournament.
The day’s matches were a clear reminder of the difference in class between the Army, Air Force and Navy teams and the rest of the cricket clubs in the country.
Army SC vs Colts CC
Army SC decided to bat first having won the toss in their match against the Colts CC at the Colts Cricket Grounds. They managed to maintain a steady run rate throughout the innings to post a relatively good score of 225 for the loss of 8 wickets. Niluka Karunaratne and Roshini Perera were the main stays in the batting line up, getting 47 and 44 respectively.
In reply, the Colts women were once again unable to get going and were bundled out for just 92 in 45.2 overs. The Army SC bowlers all contributed to the team with 4 of them picking up 2 wickets each. Handing there team a comfortable 133 run win.
Army SC 225/8 (50) Niluka Karunaratne 47, Roshini Perera 44*, Iresha Damayanthi 35, Nipuni Hansika 30, Sandani Thivanka 2/32, Poojani Liyanage 2/63
Colts CC 92 (45.2) Harshitha Samarawickrama 24, Lakmali Meththananda 2/14, Nilakshika Silva 2/23, Sharina Ravikumar 2/20, Sugandika Kumari 2/09
Navy SC vs Palink SC
Navy SC registered there 5th consecutive win of the tournament when they played Palink girls at the Navy Grounds in Welisara today. The toss was won by the Palink skipper and she decided to take first lease of the wicket. Unfortunately, her players were unable to cope with the quality of bowling the Navy SC had to offer and were blown away for just 43 runs in 24.4 overs. Udeshika Prabodini, Maduri Samuddika and Shashikala Siriwardene picked up 3 wickets a piece.
The Palink bowlers could do nothing to stop the Navy SC batters as they cruised to their target for the loss of just 1 wicket with 40 overs to spare, given Navy SC a 9 wicket win.
Palink SC 43 (24.4) Udeshika Prabodini 3/8, Maduri Samuddika 3/10, Sashikala Siriwardena 3/18
Navy SC 44/1 (10) Prasadini Weerakkody 24*, Hasini Perera 10*
Air Force SC vs Matara SC
In the final match of the 1st round of games, Air Force SC took on Matara SC in what was destined to be a one sided affair. Perhaps in a bid to finish things off in a hurry, Air Force SC skipper decided to put the opposition into bat, on a flat track at the Rifle Green Grounds, having won the toss. Mtara SC was under pressure right from the word go and lost wickets consistently to be bowled out for 45 in 21 overs. One of the tournaments leading wicket takers Oshadie Ranasighe did most of the damage, picking up 4 wickets while Sripali Weerakkody chipped in with 3 wickets.
In reply, Chamari Atapattu got some valuable time in the middle, anchoring the innings with 20 unbeaten runs as Air Force SC cruised home 9.4 overs.
Matara SC 45 (21) Malsha Shehani 24, Oshadi Ranasinghe 4/08, Sripali Weerakkody 3/12, Chamila Peiris 2/10
Air Force SC 46/1 (9.4) Chamari Atapattu 20*, Chamari Polgampola 16*
