None of the matches produced outright victories as the 3rd week of the SLC-AIA Premier League Tournament concluded on Sunday with Colombo Cricket Club and Galle Cricket Club taking the lead in group A & B respectively.
Galle CC, Bloomfield, Tamil Union and CCC registered first-innings wins as two left-handers, Deshan Dias of Bloomfield and Nisal Randika of Galle sparkled with the bat scoring two centuries while Galle skipper Suraj Randiv picked up a 10-wicket match bag against SL Army.
Galle vs SL Army
The newly-promoted Galle CC had to be content with a first-innings win against SL Army SC at Galle International Cricket Stadium.
Nisal Randika stroked as unbeaten 135 runs in 292 balls with 13 boundaries as Galle CC amassed 406 runs for 5 wickets. In reply, Army SC were bowled out for 201 runs in their first innings as Suraj Randiv picked up 8 wickets for 111 runs. After being asked to follow-on, the visitors scored 232 runs for 5 wickets in 40 overs thanks to a whirlwind knock of 76 in 31 balls with 8 sixes and 5 fours by Seekkuge Prasanna.
Galle CC – 406/5 declared in 117 overs: Nisal Randika 135*, TN. Sampath 70, Chamara Silva 65, Harsha Vithana 51, Damitha Hunukumbura 36, Romesh Buddhika 26, Seekkuge Prasanna 2/89.
Army SC – 201 all out in 61.1 overs: Manjula De Zoysa 73, Seekkuge Prasanna 43, Asela Gunarathne 27, Shalika Karunanayake 27, Suraj Randiv 8/111.
Army SC (2nd inn) – 232/5 in 40 overs: Seekkuge Prasanna 76*, Leo Fransisco 49, Asela Gunarathne 34, Manjula De Zoysa 29, Ajantha Mendis 14, TN. Sampath 2/39, Suraj Randiv 2/90.
Badureliya vs Bloomfield
The 23-year old Deshan Dias’ excellent century helped Bloomfield C & AC register a first-innings win over Badureliya CC at Surrey Village grounds in Maggona.
Left-arm spinners, Upul Indrasiri and Chathura Randunu grabbed 9 wickets as Badureliya were restricted to only 221 in their first-innings. Experienced Sahan Wijeratne top-scored with 66 for the hosts. In reply, Deshan Dias’ unbeaten 208-ball 143 guided Bloomfield to a first-innings lead. Badureliya in their 2nd innings were all at sea on 86 for 7 when the match concluded.
Badureliya CC – 221 all out in 61.4 overs: Sahan Wijerathne 66, Nadeera Nawela 38, Hasantha Fernando 30, Sameen Kandanarachchi 29, Praveen Fernando 26, Upul Indrasiri 5/57, Chathura Randunu 4/59.
Bloomfield – 296 all out in 80.5 overs: Deshan Dias 143*, Dilshan Munaweera 47, Nipun Karunanayake 47, Upul Indrasiri 18, Dulanjana Mendis 5/88, Gayan De Silva 2/47.
Badureliya CC (2nd inn) – 86/7 in 28 overs: Imesh Udayanga 31, Sameen Kandanarachchi 20, Sahan Wijerathne 15, Upul Indrasiri 4/28, Chathura Randunu 3/19.
CCC vs Chilaw Marians
Clinical CCC romped to a comfortable first-innings victory against Chilaw Marians CC at FTZ ground in Katunayake.
Former Peterite Akshu Fernando stroked 61 but the hosts’ were bowled out for 193 as left-arm spin duo of Lakshan Sandaken and Sachith Pathirana shared 9 wickets amongst them. CCC in their reply posted 265 runs on the board courtesy three sensible half-tons by Nisham Mazahir, Akhila Jayasundara and Andy Solomons. The hosts’ were 134 for 6 in their 2nd innings.
Chilaw Marians – 193 all out in 87.3 overs: Akshu Fernando 61, Ashen Silva 43, Madhuka Liyanapathiranage 30, Lakshan Sandakan 5/67, Sachith Pathirana 4/51.
CCC – 265/9 declared in 67.5 overs: Andy Solomons 72, Nizam Mazahir 71, Akila Jayasundara 51*, Hans Fernando 34, Lahiru Gamage 4/65, Madhuka Liyanapathiranage 3/54, Saliya Saman 2/26.
Chilaw Marians (2nd inn) – 134/6 in 45 overs: Malintha Warnapura 38, Akshu Fernando 37, Rohith Damodaran 25, Lakshan Sandaken 3/59.
Moors vs Tamil Union
Tamil Union C & AC recorded an important first-innings win over Moors SC at P. Sara Oval grounds.
Less than 150 overs were possible all three days due to wet ground conditions but the visitors batting first made only 203 inside 65 overs, Left-handed Chathuranga De Silva top-scored with 66 while off-spinner Dhananjaya De Silva picked up 4 wickets for the hosts’. Seasoned campaigner, Tharanga Paranavithana blasted 67 as the home team posted 255 to take first-innings points.
Moors – 203 all out in 64.5 overs: Chathuranga De Silva 66, Mahela Udawatte 38, Shanuka Dulaj 23, Dilhara Lokuhettige 22, Dhananjaya De Silva 4/56, Chamika Karunarathne 3/16, Nisala Tharaka 2/48.
Tamil Union – 255 all out in 82.4 overs: Tharanga Paranavithana 67, Ramith Rambukwella 34, Charith Jayampathi 33, Dhananjaya De Silva 28, Pabasara Waduge 27, Malinda Pushpakumara 4/76, Sachithra Serasinghe 2/41, Wimukthi Perera 2/41.
Ragama vs SL Ports Authority
Only 38 overs were possible as the game ended without a result at Army grounds in Mattegoda.
SL Ports – 144/9 declared in 31 over: Gihan Rupasinghe 71*, Lasith Lakshan 22, Chathura Peiris 3/27, Amila Aponso 2/19, Nuwan Karunaratne 2/70.
Ragama CC – 26 for no loss in 7 overs: Lahiru Milantha 16*.
