Dashing opening batsman Kusal Janith Perera smashed a belligerent century for Kegalle District on the opening day of the SLC Districts One Day Tournament as the 24-team inter-district tournament commenced today at 8 venues.
Kalutara vs Colombo
Colombo District thrashed Kalutara District convincingly by 7 wickets at CCC grounds. Fast bowler Lahiru Gamage starred for the winners taking 5 wickets while opening batsman Dilshan Munaweera clobbered a whirlwind fifty.
Kalutara – 83 all out 22.1 overs: Lasith Fernando 22, Nimesh Vimukthi 25, Lahiru Gamage 5/13, Sachith Pathirana 2/40, Manelker De Silva 2/8.
Colombo – 84/3 in 8.4 overs: Dilshan Munaweera 53* (30 balls, 10 fours and 1 six), Ashan Priyanjan 27, Nimesh Vimukthi 1/11.
Badulla vs Ratnapura
Sanjika Ridma’s all-round excellence enabled Badulla District to affect a comfortable 109-run win over Ratnapura District at Army Grounds in Panagoda. Lakshitha Madushan, Dushan Vimukthi and Janith De Silva cracked half-tons for the hosts but it was left-handed Ridma’s contributions with both bat and ball which stood out from the rest. He made a fighting 42 and picked up 5 wickets with his left-arm spinners.
Badulla – 274/8 in 50 overs: Lakshitha Madushan 61, Sanjika Ridma 42, Dushan Vimukthi 70*, Janith De Silva 58, Shiran Fernando 2/60, Yashan Samarasinghe 2/38, Chanaka Ruwansiri 2/44.
Ratnapura – 165 all out in 37.5 overs: Sanjula Abeywickrama 50*, Maduranga Zoysa 37, Sanjika Ridma 5/11.
Puttalam vs Kegalle
Sri Lanka Test discard Kusal Janith Perera slammed an unbeaten 161 as Kegalle District coasted to an 8-wicket win over Puttalam District at FTZ grounds in Katunayake. After opting to bat first, Puttalam made 263 thanks to the half-tons of Shehan Jayasuriya and Isuru Udana. In reply, Perera smashed 19 fours and 5 sixes during his excellent knock of 161 which came in just 118 balls.
Puttalam – 263 all out in 49.2 overs: Shehan Jayasuriya 64, Mahela Udawatte 43, Isuru Udana 56, Rukshan Fernando 37, Ishan Jayarathne 4/49, Nisala Tharaka 2/44.
Kegalle – 266/2 in 38 overs: Sadeera Samarawickrama 52, Kusal Janith Perera 161*, Avishka Fernando 26, Sachithra Serasinghe 1/57, Isuru Udana 1/28.
Kandy vs Nuwara Eliya
Sri Lanka discard, Sachithra Senanayake produced excellent all round performance to help Kandy District defeat Nuwara Eliya by 69 runs at SSC grounds. Senanayake scored a quick-fire 62 with the bat and captured 3 wickets with his off-spin.
Kandy – 266/8 in 50 overs: Minod Bhanuka 58, Kavindu Kulasekara 23, Sachithra Senanayake 62, Jefferey Vandersay 19*, Kasun Madushanka 28*, Kosala Kulasekara 2/70, Pramod Maduwantha 3/41.
Nuwara Eliya – 197/9 in 50 overs: Primosh Perera 69, Kosala Kulasekara 77, Suresh Niroshan 20, Sandun Dias 22, Sachithra Senanayake 3/24, Jeffrey Vandersay 3/41.
Jaffna vs Kilinochchi
In a shortened game due to bad weather, Kilinochchi District trounced Jaffna District by 2 runs according to D/L method at Moors grounds. Sri Lanka cap Milinda Siriwardena steered the chase for Kilinochchi District scoring a blitzkrieg 80 off 38 balls with 5 sixes and 4 boundaries.
Jaffna – 266/8 in 38 overs: Dinuk Wickramanayake 66, Kithruwan Vithanage 55, Chamika Karunarathne 44, Tharanga Paranavitharana 35, Umesh Karunarathne 2/52, Irosh Samarasooriya 2/51, Suraj Randiv 2/54.
Kilinochchi – 176/4 in 27 overs: Milinda Siriwardena 80*, Harsha Cooray 31, Umesh Karunarathne 27, Irosh Samarasooriya 25, Jeewan Mendis 2/16.
Mannar vs Anuradhapura
Roshene Silva’s excellent century helped Mannar District to a convincing 70 runs win over Anuradhapura District at Colts grounds. Silva slammed only 3 fours during his well-compiled 102 which came in just 123 balls. He got able assistance from Udara Jayasundera and Chathura Peiris who made 51 and 71 respectively.
Mannar – 278/9 in 50 overs: Udara Jayasundera 51, Roshene Silva 102*, Chathura Peiris 71, Koshan Jayawickrama 24, Imran Khan 2/59, Adeesha Nanayakkara 4/59, Malith Mahela 2/49.
Anuradhapura – 208 all out in 44 overs: Shashrika Pussegolla 20, Sachin Jayawardena 50*, Vinod Perera 45, Nilanka Premarathne 2/31, Amila Aponso 3/28.
Matara vs Galle
Matara District outclassed their neighbours, Galle District by 1 wicket in a thriller at NCC grounds. Left-arm seamer Anuk Fernando was the star performer for the winners taking 4 wickets while right-handed batsmen Lahiru Udara and Angelo Perera struck half-centuries.
Galle – 229/9 in 50 overs: Yashoda Lanka 36, Dilhan Cooray 43, Shalika Karunanayake 59, Lasith Embuldeniya 2/43, Anuk Fernando 4/50.
Matara – 233/9 in 45.3 overs: Lahiru Udara 59, Angelo Perera 62, Farveez Maharoof 37, Roshan Jayathissa 3/36, Nipuna Kariyawasam 2/40, Chalana De Silva 2/43.
Ampara vs Batticaloa
Batticaloa District managed to beat Ampara District by 39 runs at BRC grounds. Skipper Harsha Vithana top scored for the winning team with a fighting 54 while experienced campaigner TM Sampath grabbed 3 scalps.
Batticaloa – 241 all out in 49 overs: Harsha Vithana 54, Chanaka Wijesinghe 48, Vikum Sanjaya 30, Lasith Lakshan 28, Hashen Ramanayake 24, Saliya Saman 3/35, Dilesh Gunarathne 3/48, Nimanda Madushanka 2/30.
Ampara – 202 all out in 47.4 overs: Nadeera Nawala 46, Saliya Saman 33, Sahan Wijerathne 27, Nimanda Madushanka 27, TM Sampath 3/45, Vikum Sanjaya 2/21, Hashen Ramanayake 2/29.
