Moors SC skipper Shehan Jayasooriya pounded a career-best score of 260 against Colts CC as the 3rd week matches of the SLC under 23 division 1 tournament got underway.
Before the start of play, Moors SC vs Colts CC match was talked about as the biggest clash of the week. Colts skipper Shehan Fernando won the toss and elected to field but his decision backfired as hosts, skipper Shehan Jayasooriya bludgeoned the Colts bowling to all parts of the ground and sometimes over the ground as the hosts made a thunderous 485 runs for the loss of only 8 wickets when umpires called it a day.
Opening batsman Shehan Jayasooriya hammered 29 fours and 13 sixes in his 205 ball knock of 260. Shehan was timing the ball perfectly as all his strikes were clean hits. Middle-order batsmen, Kaushalya Gajasinghe stroked an elegant 104 runs as he was involved in a 153 runs stand with Jayasooriya for the 5th wicket. Colts bowlers took a big beating as they conceded runs at 5.45 per over. Akila Dananjaya took 4 wickets giving away 157 runs in his 30 overs.
SSC made inroads with the ball in their game against Navy SC at SSC grounds as the hosts took the upper hand at the end of day one. 2013 Royal College big match hero, Chamika Karunarathne bowled with venom as he picked up 4 wickets to restrict the Sailors to only 188 in their 1st innings. Navy SC innings was revolved around a patient knock of 46 by middle-order batsman Madura Madusanka as the visitors took 88 overs to score 188 runs. Ishan Abeysekara scored useful 40 runs at the latter stages of the match. SSC remained on the safe side as they ended on 15 for no loss in 5 overs at close of play.
Spin duo – Aravinda Premarathne and Anuk De Alwis shared 9 wickets amongst them to restrict the Army SC to only 145 as Sri Lanka Ports Authority Cricket Club took the major honours at stumps in Panagoda. The Soldiers were in great danger of being dismissed before the 3-figure mark as they were 70 runs for 8 wickets at one stage but a solid counter-attack knock of 63 by number 10 batsmen, Shehan De Silva ensured Army had something to bowl at. Off-spinner Aravinda Premarathne captured 5 wickets for 21 runs while left-arm spinner Anuk De Alwis scalped 4 wickets for 48 runs. SLPACCC in their 1st innings were 104 for 5 wickets as Army fought back to stay in contention. Nadeesha Sudarshana was the most impressive bowler taking 3 wickets while skipper Prashan Wickramasinghe remained unbeaten on 25.
22-year old Eranga Rathnayake played a gem of an innings to take Ragama CC score line above 200 runs in their match against Tami Union at P.Sara Oval stadium. Right handed Eranga scored 96 runs as Ragama lads posted 202 runs before being bowled out in 66 overs. Former Josephian Supeshala Jayathilake played a superb supporting role with a valuable knock of 30 runs. Seam bowler Thineth Manishka bagged three wickets for the hosts while Shifran Muthalif and Minhaj Jaleel scalped two wickets apiece. Tamil Union managed to score 69 runs for 3 wickets in 21 overs at stumps with left-arm spinner Amila Aponso capturing 2 wickets for Ragama CC.
Shanuka Dulaj (L) of Moratuwa SC walking off after bowling finishing his over
Shanuka Dulaj scored yet another half-century for his home town club, Moratuwa SC as they managed to scramble their way to 229 runs in 75 overs against the strong NCC line up at NCC grounds. Left-hand middle order batsman, Shanuka Dulaj scored 71 runs for the visitors while Krishan Weerarathne and Hashan Chamara contributed with 39* and 37 runs respectively. Sri Lanka’s newest spin sensation Tharindu Kaushal captured 4 wickets while leg spinner Saranga Rajaguru dismissed four Moratuwa players. NCC was 48 runs for the loss of 2 wickets at stumps with game being evenly poised. Former Peterite medium-fast bowler Chemila Obeysekara got both NCC wickets.
Due to a delayed start, only 59 overs were possible on day 1 as Air Force got the early advantage against Negombo SC at Kadirana. 18-year old opening batsman from D.S Senanayake College, Akeel Inham top scored with 33 runs as the hosts were bundled out for a mere 153 by the disciplined bowling of the Airmen. Pramod Chathuranga conceded only 24 runs in 17 overs for his 4 wickets while Rajitha Lakmal captured 3 important scalps. Air Force were 6 for 1 in 3 overs in their reply.
All the 6 matches will be continued tomorrow.
