Brilliant Sadeera century drives Galle to final

21-year old opening batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama stroked a fluent century to help Galle crush Dambulla by 221 runs in the final group stage game in the Super Provincial Limited Over Tournament played at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Army knock defending champions Navy out

Army A lead by a 4 wicket haul by Lakmali Meththananda, did the unexpected by defeating Navy SC by 79 runs in the 2nd semi-final..

After opting to bat first, Galle posted a massive 362 for 7 from their 50 overs and later, dismantled Dambulla for just 141 runs. With this massive win, Galle advanced to the final against Colombo scheduled to take place tomorrow (29th April) at the same venue.

Galle skipper Upul Tharanga and Samarawickrama got Galle off to a steady start adding 24 before the former guided a short delivery off Asitha Fernando straight to the throat of third-man. Samarawickrama then added two 50+ stands with Dimuth Karunarathne and Minod Bhanuka to build a steady platform for Galle.

Photo Album: Dambulla v Galle – SLC Super Provincial Limited Over Tournament

The former Josephian right-hander was in full flow as he manipulated the field and played accordingly to score 120 in just 104 balls with 10 fours and 2 sixes. The in-form right-hander was overlooked for the Champions Trophy earlier this week and now remains as the highest run-getter in the tournament with 314 runs with two centuries to his name.

After Sadeera’s dismissal, young Sammu Ashan from Ananda College took the baton and slammed a vital 52 in 48 balls with 2 fours and 3 massive sixes. Dasun Shanaka and Seekkuge Prasanna provided the late blitz with quick-fire knocks of 49* and 36 respectively. Shanaka found the boundary along the ground 5 times and over the rope 3 times during his 27-ball stay while Prasanna used only 17 balls.

Shehan Jayasuriya and Vishwa Fernando guide Colombo to final

All-rounder Shehan Jayasuriya and fast-bowler Vishwa Fernando produced stellar performances..

Galle managed to rack up 123 runs in the final 10 overs as Dambulla bowlers struggled to find the perfect line and length in the death overs. Fast bowler Asitha Fernando was the pick of the bowlers claiming 4 for 62 from his 10 overs.

Chasing a massive target of 363 runs to win, Dambulla lost both their openers Avishka Fernando and Lahiru Milantha inside 3 balls when the score was just 27. Kusal Mendis looked good during his brief stay of 23 off 36 balls but Dambulla kept losing wickets at regular intervals and had no momentum in their chase.

Ashan Priyanjan played a lone hand scoring an unbeaten 50 off 67 deliveries with 4 fours and 2 sixes but to no avail as Galle spinners wrapped up proceedings in the 32nd over handing a mammoth win. Left-arm spinner Chathuranga De Silva grabbed 3 wickets while Akila Dhananjaya and Dasun Shanaka grabbed 2 wickets apiece for the winners.