Virtually single handedly, league top-scorer Kaushal Silva took SSC to the Premier league championship beating Moors SC by 6 wickets on the fourth and final day yesterday.
Silva who scored a splendid 171 runs in the first innings helping SSC to a 62 run lead, starred yet again making a rapid 88 from 105 balls in the second innings enabling SSC to chased down the 262 runs they required, with only 4.3 overs remaining in the game to clinch the title
Moors SC continuing from the overnight score of 310 for seven wickets lasted only four overs on the fourth morning as they were bowled out for 323 with the SSC fast bowlers making short work of the tailenders while former Sri Lankan batsman Indika de Saram just managed to complete his 28th first-class hundred, having ended the previous day at 89.
With a competitive target of 262 runs in 83 overs to secure victory, SSC began with a good start by their openers who shared a 105-run stand. Dimuth Karunaratne made 73 from 98 balls including 10 fours while his opening partner Tharanga Paranavitana had taken 101 balls to make 32. They lost the openers in quick succession after lunch but Silva’s swift progress ensured the hosts did not fall behind. The wicket-keeper hit nine fours and a six in his 88.
Scores in brief:
Moors 262 all out and 323 all out in 87 overs (Indika de Saram 101, Dilhara Lokuhettige 78, Chathuranga de Silva 33, Shehan Jayasuriya 35; Dhammika Prasad 3/61, Kasun Madhusanka 4/87)
SSC 324 all out and 262 for 4 wkts in 79.3 overs (Kaushal Silva 88, Dimuth Karunaratne 73, Tharanga Paranavitana 32, Thilina Kandamby 29 n.o.; Malinda Pushpakumara 2/90, Janaka Gunaratne 1/67)
