New-comers in the 24th Singer-MCA Premier League, Textured Jersey led by their charismatic young opening batsman Dilan Jayalath annihilated defending champions, MAS Active by 203 runs (D/L) today at P. Sara Oval grounds.
After being sent into bat first, 19-year old former Trinitian Jayalath and 21-year old former Maliyadeva College wicket-keeper batsman Minod Bhanuka added 184 for the first-wicket which set the platform for Textured Jersey. Bhanuka made a 90-ball 91 with 11 fours and 3 sixes while Jayalath took the spotlight amassing 150 unbeaten runs in 143 deliveries. His scintillating knock consist 11 fours and 6 huge sixes.
Former Royal College left-arm spinner, Lasith Embuldeniya was the pick of the bowlers taking 3 for 55 as Textured Jersey ended their innings on 329 for 7. MAS Active struggled immensely in their run-chase as they lost 9 wickets for just 118 in just 25.2 overs before rain brought a pre-mature end to the game. Skipper Jehan Mubarak put up a lone fight scoring 33 while right-arm seamer, Suranga Lakmal and Saliya Saman grabbed 2 wickets apiece.
Textured Jersey – 329/8 in 50 overs: Dilan Jayalath 150*, Minod Bhanuka 91, Lasith Embuldeniya 3/55, Charitha Jayampathi 2/61, Jehan Mubarak 2/63.
MAS Active – 118/9 in 25.2 overs: Jehan Mubarak 33, Suranga Lakmal 2/29, Saliya Saman 2/25.
MAS Unichela vs John Keells
Former Peterite batsman Akshu Fernando stroked an invaluable half-century as John Keells ended title favourites, MAS Unichela’s title hopes beating them by 2 wickets in a thrilling encounter at Tyronne Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa.
After electing to bowl first, John Keells bowlers leaked 305 runs against the star-studded MAS Unichela batting lineup. Openers, Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka added 84 before the former was dismissed for 34. Gunathilaka made a 78-ball 61 with 4 fours while experienced campaigner, TM Dilshan stroked 58 fluent runs in just 60 balls.
Hard-hitting Kusal Janith Perera provided the late impetus to the Unichela innings hammering 68 off just 49 balls with 7 fours and 3 gigantic sixes. Off-spinning Akshu Fernando and fast-bowler Ishan Jayarathne grabbed 3 wickets apiece.
Chasing a monument 306 runs to win, both the openers, Lahiru Milantha and Dimuth Karunarathne made identical scores of 24 while Roshen Silva made a steady 82-ball 52. John Keells were all but lost until Akshu Fernando and Shanuka Dulaj added more than 75 runs for the 7th wicket which sealed the deal in the last over.
MAS Unichela – 305/9 in 50 overS: Kusal Perera 68, Danushka Gunathilake 61, TM Dilshan 58, Mahela Udawaththa 41, Niroshan Dickwella 34, Vikum Bandara 2/70, Ishan Jayarathne 3/47, Akshu Fernando 3/32.
John Keells – 307/8 in 49.2 overs: Akshu Fernando 63*, Roshen Silva 52, Sadun Weerakkody 36, Shanuka Dulaj 38, Lahiru Milantha 24, Dimuth Karunarathne 24, Dilruwan Perera 3/53, Ishara Amarasinghe 3/62.
Dimo vs Commercial Credit
Commercial Credit kept their title hopes alive when they defeated Dimo by 5 wickets in their game played at FTZ grounds in Katunayake.
Former Nalandian and left-handed batsman Nipun Karunanayake scored a stylish century (101) in 126 deliveries with 9 fours and 2 sixes to help Dimo put up a solid total of 250 on the score board. Pulina Tharanga and Ramesh Mendis made a few notable contributions with the bat while Lahiru Madushanka and Suraj Randiv took 2 wickets apiece.
Chasing 251 runs to win, Ashan Priyanjan sizzled his way through to a 78-ball 77 while skipper Upul Tharanga remained unbeaten on 56 off 57 balls. Imesh Udayanga also made a stylish half-century as Commercial Credit achieved the target in the penultimate over of the match.
Dimo – 250/7 in 50 overs: Pramud Hettiwatte 32, Nipun Karunanayake 101, Pulina Tharanga 53, Ramesh Mendis 40, Suraj Randiv 2/39, Lahiru Madushanka 2/46.
Commercial Credit – 251/5 in 48.1 overs: Dilhan Cooray 25, Ashan Priyanjan 77, Upul Tharanga 56*, Imesh Udayanga 55, Nisala Tharaka 3/45.
Sampath Bank vs HNB
Kaushal Silva and Rumesh Buddhika made match-winning 90s as Sampath Bank recorded a 45-run win (D/L) over Hatton National Bank in their game which was restricted to 47 overs at Colts grounds.
Left-handed Buddhika made a blitzkrieg 65-ball 93 with 8 fours and 5 sixes while diminutive Silva consumed 104 deliveries for his 91 which had 8 fours and a six as Sampath Bank posted a commanding 296 on the board. Buddhi Perera was the pick of the bowling attack claiming 3 scalps.
HNB in their chase lost 3 wickets for 94 runs when a heavy downpour put an early end to the match. At the time of the interruption, Sampath Bank was 45 runs ahead according to the D/L method.
Sampath Bank – 296/9 in 47 overs: Rumesh Buddika 93, Kaushal Silva 91, Chamika Karunarathne 24, Primosh Perera 22, Buddhi Perera 3/38, Chandula Weerarathne 2/45, Madawa Warnapura 2/51.
HNB – 94/3 in 21.5 overs: Ashen Fernando 34*.
 today at P. Sara Oval grounds.){kind=link}