After a week’s break due to the unavailability of players due to G.C.E AL/s, under 23 division 1 championships final weekend commenced with 6 matches being played all around Colombo and its suburbs.
Colts spinners hit-back strongly to pick 5 wickets as NCC batsmen are reeling on 61/5 in their 1st innings in reply to Colts score of 234. Akila Dananjaya and Anjelo Jayasinghe shined with the bat as they scored valuable 60s for Colts as off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal and paceman Lahiru Madusanka ripped through the hosts batting line up at Havelock town. Tharindu and Lahiru both captured 4 wickets apiece. NCC in their batting essay lost 5 wickets to the mystery off-spin of Akila Dananjaya who took 3 important wickets. Pawan Devinda remained unbeaten on 21.
Off-spinner Dushan Vimukthi scalped 7 wickets for Air Force SC as the visiting Ragama CC were bowled out for 208 in their 1st innings after being sent in to bat on a two-paced surface at Katunayake Air Force grounds. Skipper Dhananjaya De Silva top-scored with 53 runs while Charith Fernando chipped in with valuable 43 runs. Airmen in their reply were in tatters as Dhananjaya De Silva and Amila Aponso combined brilliantly to take 7 wickets out of the 8 dismissed batsmen. Air Force were still 97 runs behind at stumps. Wicket-keeper batsman Pasindu Isira stood strong not out on 59.
Colombo Cricket Club put up a strong batting performance of 300 runs in a crucial demotion match against Army SC at Maitland Crescent. Lasitha Abeyrathne (58), Viraj Deepal (45), Janindu Ishraka (41), Sachithra Perera (40), Wikum Sanjaya (35), Lakshan Rangika (38*) contributed immensely as CCC declared their innings on 300/9 with 9 overs left. Yashoda Mendis captured 4 wickets. Army SC was 23 for no loss at close of play.
None of the batsmen crossed the 50 run mark for Bloomfield as they managed to only 225 runs in their 1st innings against Navy SC at Welisara. Opener Himasha Liyanage’s knock of 49 runs was the highest score for the visitors. K. Peiris and Ishara Abeysekara captured 4 wickets each. Navy SC ended 1st day’s play on 131/5 in 40 overs. Akasha Senarathne and Sameera Sandamal scored 41 & 43 respectively.
SSC came back strongly to restrict the hosts and defending champions, Tamil Union for 71 runs after being bowled out for 197 runs as 20 wickets fell on day 1 at P. Sara Oval grounds. Wicket-keeper batsman, Vishwa Wijerathne’s elegant innings of 76 paid dividends for SSC as Pramod Liyanagamage and Matheesha Perera bowled two superb spells of bowling to share 7 wickets amongst them. Tamil Union suffered worse as none of the batsman played a good hand as they were completely rattled by Nuwan Thushara and Dasun Shanaka. Seamer, Nuwan took 4 wickets. SSC were 15 for no loss negotiating 4 pressure overs.
Moors took the upper-hand in their final game against SL Ports CC after two brave half-centuries came from Oshada Fernando and Chalana De Silva. Top order batsman, Oshada made 65 quick runs while Chalana contributed with a timely 57 runs. Off-spinner Aravinda Premarathne took 5 wickets as Moors were bowled out for 284 runs. Aravinda carried the burden with the bat as well as he was not out on 29* when the play was concluded for day 1 with SL Ports struggling on 90/8 with Moors skipper Shehan Jayasuriya grabbing 3 wickets.
All 6 matches will be continued today.
