Moors SC middle-order batsman Kaushalya Gajasinghe scored his 3rd consecutive century in the ongoing under 23 division 1 tournament when the 4th week matches commenced on Friday.
Moors SC posted an admirable 298 runs in their 1st innings against CCC at Maitland Crescent. Kaushalya Gajasinghe scored twin centuries in their last week game against Colts CC and he continued his purple patch with another fluent knock of 101. Oshada Fernando (55) and Ruvindu Shamen (53) contributed to the Moors cause with timely half-centuries. CCC skipper and off-spinner Maduka Liyanapathiranage was the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets and he was ably supported by all-rounder Chathuranga Kumara who captured 4 wickets. Moors SC lost their final wicket in the penultimate over of the match and there was no time for the CCC openers to come out and bat on day 1.
Shanuka Dulaj sustained his half-century making machine as another half-ton came off the 2013/14 best schoolboy cricketer’s bat but Moratuwa SC failed to post an impressive score on the board at Panagoda against Army SC. Seam bowler Shehan De Silva bowled a terrific spell of bowling as he ripped through the visitors batting line up with 6 wickets for 49 as Moratuwa boys made only 195 for their 1st innings as they were bowled out in the 69th over. Army SC was 44 for 1 wicket in 20 overs at close of 1st day’s play. Left handed opening bat, Leo Fransisco remained unbeaten on 20 runs.
NCC put up a strong performance against the current group ‘A’ leaders, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Cricket Club at NCC grounds on day 1. NCC won the toss and elected to bat first and they smashed the SLPACC bowling all over the place with skipper Sandun Weerakkody scoring a brilliant 99. Australian opening batsman, William Bosisto finally found form as he notched up 60 runs. All-rounder Saranga Rajaguru (74) and Pawan Devinda (59) scored quick-fire half-centuries to lift the NCC score to 313 runs. SLPACC fell into deep trouble in their reply as they lost 5 crucial wickets for just 39 runs as spin-twins Tharindu Kaushal and Saveen Nanayakkara bamboozled the SLPACC top order with two wickets each.
Tamil Union and Bloomfield shared even exchanges on day 1 as their high-profile game commenced at Bloomfield grounds with Tamil Union skipper Pulina Tharanga winning the toss and batting first. Captain led from the front with a well-executed 77 runs while opener, Minhaj Jaleel played a solid knock of 71 runs. Right arm fast bowler, Imran Khan captured 3 wickets while off-spinner Koshan Danushka scalped 3 victims as defending champions were limited to only 248 in their 1st innings. Bloomfield lost 3 early wickets due to enthralling bowling effort by Pramod Liyanagamage but Charitha Kumarasinghe consolidated the innings with unbeaten 34 runs as they stopped play, Bloomfield was 77 for 3 in 20 overs.
SSC maintained their supremacy in the group ‘B’ as they completed dominated day 1 at Katunayake against Air Force SC. Hosts, Airmen were bundled out for 168 runs by the SSC bowlers. Trinitian left-arm spinner Lakshan Jayasinghe took most wickets with 4 while Binura Fernando and Sanka Ramesh shared 4 wickets between them. SSC in their 1st innings’ came close to Air Force score at stumps. SSC were 156 for 3 wickets in 40 overs. Dasun Shanaka blasted his way to blistering 79 runs while Josephian Pathum Madusanka remained unbeaten on 52.
16 wickets fell on day 1 at Kadirana as run-making was found difficult for both teams; Negombo CC and Navy SC. Sailors were restricted to 168 in their 1st essay of batting with Avishka Peiris stroking 42 runs opening the batting. Madura Madusanka (26) and S Nimalsha (25) got the necessary starts but failed to kick on. Shehan Madusanka went away with 3 wickets. Negombo CC lost 6 wickets after adding 123 runs in their 1st innings. The battle for the 1st innings win will continue tomorrow with Negombo needing 46 runs to win on 1st innings while Navy need 6 wicket to win their 1st game for this year.
All 6 matches will be continued today.
