Niroshan Dickwella (NCC), Upul Tharanga (NCC), Kaushal Silva (SSC), Tharanga Paranavithana (SSC) and Roshen Silva (Colts CC) smashed brilliant centuries to sparkle the opening match day of the SLC Premier Limited Over Tournament 2014/15 which commenced on December 5th with 6 matches taking place in Colombo and its suburbs.
NCC vs Moors
219-run opening partnership between Niroshan Dickwella and Upul Tharanga in just 155 deliveries helped NCC record a resounding 9-wicket win over Moors SC at Braybrooke place.
Both left-handers totally dominated proceedings as they chased down a target of 234 with 134 balls to spare. Dickwella stroked 102 in 79 balls with 11 fours and 5 sixes while Tharanga remained unbeaten with 118 in 81 deliveries smashing 16 fours and 5 sixes. Earlier in the day, Kosala Kulasekara top-scored for his new club, Moors scoring a 78-ball 81.
Brief Scores:
Moors – 233 all out in 49.1 overs: Kosala Kulasekara 81, Harsha Cooray 44, Oshadha Fernando 44, Chaminda Vidanapathirana 3/46, Tharindu Kaushal 2/46.
NCC – 234/1 in 27.4 overs: Niroshan Dickwella 102, Upul Tharanga 118*.
SSC vs CCC
Kaushal Silva and Tharanga Paranavithana smashed unbeaten centuries to take SSC home with an easy 9-wicket win over CCC at SSC grounds.
Chasing 217 runs to win, SSC managed to reach the target in the 39th over. Both batsmen finished on 100* and Kaushal took 117 balls while Paranavithana took 92 deliveries. Fast-bowler Dilhara Fernando captured 4 wickets for the home team.
Brief Scores:
CCC – 216/9 in 50 overs: Hasantha Fernando 42, Dinusha Fernando 37*, Dilhara Fernando 4/36, Kasun Madushanka 3/57.
SSC – 217/1 in 38.4 overs: Kaushal Silva 100*, Tharanga Paranavithana 100*.
Colts vs Bloomfield
Former Josephian batting stars, Roshane Silva and Priyamal Perera were involved in a match-winning 192-run stand for the 5th wicket to help Colts CC record a 5-wicket win over Bloomfield C & AC at Colts grounds.
Kusal Mendis scored a valuable knock of 72 runs to help Bloomfield post a total of 263. Colts in their chase were 74 for 4 at one stage before both right-handers manufactured a brilliant partnership to steer their team home. Roshane was 105 not out in 119 balls while 19-year old Priyamal remained unbeaten on 92.
Brief Scores:
Bloomfield – 263/8 in 50 overs: Kusal Mendis 72, Lahiru Madushanka 46, Primosh Perera 40, Suraj Randiv 47*, Nuwan Kulasekara 3/54, Dilruwan Perera 2/43.
Colts – 266/4 in 47 overs: Roshane Silva 105*, Priyamal Perera 92*, Bhanuka Rajapakshe 30, Sadeera Samarawickrama 25, Nuwan Pradeep 2/65.
Ragama vs Tamil Union
180-run unbroken stand for the 3rd wicket between Lahiru Milantha and Nilushan Nonis steered Ragama CC to a comfortable 7-wicket win over Tamil Union C & AC at P. Sara Oval grounds.
20-year old Lahiru Milantha top-scored for the visitors with a classic knock of 95 while his senior partner Nilushan Nonis performed superbly with his blade to score 78 runs in 105 balls. Earlier for the hosts, Imal Liyanage and Kithruvan Vithanage and Imal Liyanage smashed half-centuries while left-arm spinner Amila Aponso captured 4 wickets.
Brief Scores:
Tamil Union – 202 all out in 47 overs: Imal Liyanage 56, Kithruwan Vithanage 53, Amila Aponso 4/27, Nilanka Premarathne 3/48.
Ragama CC -203/2 in 39.5 overs: Lahiru Milantha 95*, Nilushan Nonis 78*.
Army vs Badureliya
Army clinched a 3-wicket win over Badureliya in a low-scoring thriller at Surrey Village in Maggona.
Chasing a below par total of 154, Army lost 7 wickets to get to the total yet a stubborn 46-run stand between Ajantha Mendis and Shalika Karunanayake helped Army to recover and win the match. Earlier Ajantha Mendis, Seekuge Prasanna and Asela Gunarathne took 3 wickets apiece for the visitors.
Brief Scores:
Baduraliya – 153 all out in 40.2 overs: Andy Solomons 29, Asela Gunarathne 3/20, Ajantha Mendis 3/37, Seekuge Prasanna 3/34.
Army SC – 154/7 in 44.2 overs: Adeesha Thilanchana 33, Shalika Karunanayake 25*, Ajantha Mendis 24*, Milinda Siriwardene 4/22.
Chilaw Marians vs SL Ports
SL Ports Authority CC defended a score of 179 runs to win their match against Chilaw Marians by 16 runs at NCC grounds.
Kasun Vidura of Chilaw Marians scored a half-ton in the match where the bowlers from both teams dominated proceedings.
Brief Scores:
SL Ports Authority – 179 all out in 47.5 overs: Pulina Tharanga 38, Chaminda Gamage 3/28, Theekshila De Silva 3/33.
Chilaw Marians – 163 all out in 49.4 overs: Kasun Vidura Adikari 54, Sachithra Serasinghe 2/27.
