Ragama Cricket club, Colts Cricket club and Sinhalese Sports club took the upper hand in their SLC under 23 division 1 tournament week 2 matches which started on Friday around Colombo suburbs after a week’s rest due to Super Fours tournament.
Ragama CC are on verge of gaining first innings points against Navy SC at Welisara after Tharindu Rukshan and Lahiru Jayarathne rattled the Navy batting line up for only 206 runs. Home team playing their 1st match of the season looked rusty on a friendly batting track as former Benedictine Sameera Sandamal played a brave knock of 73 to help his team get over the 200 run mark. Lahiru Jayakody and tailender K.Peiris contributed with hard-fought 40s. Spinner Tharindu Rukshan was the pick of the bowlers with a 4 wicket haul while right arm fast bowler Lahiru Jayarathne picked up 3 wickets. Ragama CC replying to the Navy score finished day 1 on a healthy 204 for the loss of 2 wickets with opener Jason Perera and former Peterite Lahiru Milantha unbeaten on 85 and 60 respectively.
Colts CC batted out day 1 to post a commendable 377 with three half centuries by Sadeera Samarawickrama, Anuk Fernando and Angelo Jayasinghe against Army SC at Panagoda. Opening batsman and wicket-keeper Sadeera stroked 10 boundaries in an elegant knock of 63 while middle order batsman Angelo Jayasinghe steered the Colts innings with a patient 64 runs. Bowling all-rounder Anuk Fernando made a quick-fire unbeaten 64 runs which prompted Colts to take honours of the day’s proceedings. Nadeesha De Mel conceded 105 runs to capture 5 wickets while off-spinner Yohan De Silva grabbed 2 scalps.
SSC faster bowlers once again proved their worth restricting the strong Bloomfield batting unit for a mere 191 at Bloomfield grounds as SSC took command of the match. Gihan Nimsara’s fighting 61 was the only highlight in a disappointing batting effort from the home team. Vice-captain Dasun Shanaka picked up 3 wickets to rattle the Bloomfield top order while Binura Fernando and Ramesh Mendis supported their senior bowler scalping 2 wickets each. SSC in their reply were 33 for the loss of 1 wicket at close of play.
Skipper Pulina Tharanga hammered an attacking 117 as Tamil Union posted 248 all out in 62.3 overs in their game against Negombo CC at P.Sara Oval stadium. Pulina’s knock consist 13 boundaries and 2 sixes while former Trinity skipper Akila Jayasundara made a noteworthy 58. Shehan Madusanka picked up 4 wickets for Negombo CC while Nilochana Perera accounted for 2 dismissals. The Negombo opening pair of Akhil Inham and Malinga Gunarathne put on an unbroken 90 run stand to square off the day.
Sri Lanka Ports Authority captain Prashan Wickramsinghe was the pillar of strength for his team as he stroked a resilient 88 runs not out as his team scored 234 runs in their 1st innings against Colombo Cricket Club at Maitland Crescent. Prashan batted with great grit and determination as wickets kept tumbling around him. Left arm chinamen spinner Lakshan Rangika mesmerized the batsmen capturing 4 wickets while impressive fast bowling all-rounder Chathuranga Kumara produced an exciting spell taking 3 wickets. CCC in their reply was 39 for 2 wickets at stumps.
Moratuwa SC battled hard for their 1st innings total of 236 as Moors SC bowlers displayed a classic bowling display at Tyronne Fernando Stadium. Newly crowned schoolboy cricketer Shanuka Dulaj top scored for the home team with a fine knock of 65 runs while opening batsman Hashan Chamara scored 59 runs in the morning session. Left arm leg spinner Chirath Mapatuna captured 3 wickets for the visitors with Thikshila De Silva taking 2 valuable wickets. Moors SC ended the 1st day on a high note as they posted 123 for the loss of 1 wicket in 23 overs.
All the 6 matches will be continued today.
