A blitzkrieg knock by Bhanuka Rajapaksa took center stage in the second days’ play, which concluded today, in the SLC Premier League Plate Championship.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority CC v Burgher Recreation Club
Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s career-best 268 helped BRC post 629 runs in their first innings against the Ports Authority outfit at the Moors Grounds.
Play Resumed with BRC openers at the crease; After a 50-run stand, both batsmen fell quickly. Then came one of the most dominating batting partnerships – Bhanuka Rajapaksa joined skipper Rumesh Buddika to add 307 runs for the 3rd wicket.
Both batsmen, batted with ease as they took only 234 balls to score the mammoth partnership. Rajapaksha was in beast mode as he stroked 19 sixes and 22 fours in his 173-ball inning. Rumesh Buddika, Unfortunately, missed out on triple figures when he was dismissed for 91.
Read : Centuries for Yohan and Prasansana; Nishan Peiris takes 6-fer
When Rajapaksha was dismissed the score was 507 for 5 as two quick fire half centuries from Nimantha Gunasiri and Raminda Wijesooriya put them above and beyond 600 in just 92.3 overs. A staggering run rate of 6.8 was maintained right throughout the innings by BRC.
Early on, SL Ports Authority posted 237 runs with an unbeaten century by 137.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority CC 237 (79.3) Yohan de Silva 137*, Ishan Rangana 38, Maduka Liyanapathiranage 3/49, Duvindu Tillakaratne 2/21
vs
Burgher Recreation Club 629 (92.3) Bhanuka Rajapaksha 268, Rumesh Buddika 91, Raminda Wijesooriya 72, Nimantha Gunasiri 69, Chanaka Komasaru 4/124, Anuk de Alwis 3/139
Badureliya CC v Ragama CC
Skipper Sameera De Soyza’s 150 helped Ragama gain a first innings lead against Badureliya CC, at the Bloomfield grounds.
Photos: Ragama CC v Baduruliya CC | Major Plate Tournament 2018/19
The opening pair of Ragama resumed second days’ play; However, Janith Liyanage fell in the first over of play. Despite the early loss, Shehan Fernando went on to make 70 and together with his captain De Soyza’s managed to add 85 runs for the 2nd wicket.
De Soyza, added yet another century for his season tally as he guided his team to a 112 run lead. However, Badureliya skipper Alankara Asanka made amends to his failure with the bat by taking 6 wickets with the ball.
Photo Album : BRC Team Preview 2018/19
Badureliya were 4 for no loss in their second innings when play was called off.
Badureliya Cricket Club 277 (78.5) Pathum Madushanka 76, Denuwan Rajakaruna 44, Sachith Pathirana 42, Salinda Ushan 36, Buddika Sanjeewa 28, Nishan Pieris 6/88, Amila Aponso 3/62 & 4/0 (1)
vs
Ragama Cricket Club 389 (97.3) Sameera de Zoysa 150, Shehan Fernando 70, Saminda Fernando 31, Janith Liyanage 30, Sanjaya Chaturanga 30, Alankara Asanka 6/84
Negombo CC v Moors SC
Moors managed to edge ahead in the first innings thanks to an unbeaten century by Anuk Fernando in their match against Negombo CC at the BRC grounds.
After an overnight declaration, Negombo started brilliantly with the ball. Roshen Fernando and Upul Indrasiri picked up 3 quick wickets which put Moors at 17 for 3. They managed to consolidate with Chamara Silva, but wickets fell from the other end and they were in dire straits at 5 for 78.
Photos: Moors SC Vs Negombo CC | Major Plate Tournament 2018/19
Luckily for Moors, Ramesh Mendis and Anuk Fernando stuck in and ultimately got them to a commanding position. They added 174 runs for the 6th wicket.
Mendis lost his wicket for a well-made 63, but Anuk Fernando managed to hold his end up to reach a well-deserved century at stumps.
Negombo Cricket Club 242/9 (90) Prasansana Jayamanne 108, Ashen Silva 41, Angelo Jayasinghe 24* Shehan Jayasuriya 20, Ramesh Mendis 4/52, Chanuka Dilshan 2/33
vs
Moors Sports Club 276/8 (86) Anuk Fernando 100*, Ramesh Mendis 63, Lahiru Attanayake 35*, Chamara Silva 34, Roshen Fernando 2/35, Upul Indrasiri 3/94, Shehan Jayasuriya 2/76
