Even though rain spoiled all six matches which ended as drawn encounters of the opening weekend in the SLC Premier League Tournament 2015/16, Nisala Tharaka of Tamil Union and Lahiru Milantha of Ragama Cricket Club excelled with superlative performances.
Left-handed Lahiru Milantha smashed a brilliant 162-ball 144 inclusive of 13 fours and 6 sixes which sparked Braybrooke Place against Moors SC while right-arm seamer Nisala Tharaka picked up 7 for 50 at Maitland Crescent to bundle out CCC for just 117.
Sri Lanka Army batsman Asela Gunarathne stroked a belligerent unbeaten knock of 124 in 180 balls at Panagoda against Badureliya Sports Club.
The SSC vs NCC, Colts vs Bloomfield and Saracens vs SL Ports Authority matches were heavily interrupted by rain as almost no play was possible on Saturday and Sunday.
Ragama vs Moors
The hosts’ were in trouble at 116 for 5 in reply to Ragama’s first-innings score of 250.
Ragama – 250 all out in 72 overs: Lahiru Milantha 144, Eranga Rathnayake 44, Malinda Pushpakumara 5/87, Wimukthi Perera 4/69.
Moors – 116/5 in 29 overs: Sachithra Serasinghe 37*, Shanuka Dulaj 24*, Amila Aponso 3/31, Sanjaya Fernando 2/36.
CCC vs Tamil Union
Tamil Union were deprived of a certain first-innings win as they were 57 for no loss in reply to the below-par first-innings score of 117 by CCC.
CCC – 117 all out in 38.5 overs: Lahiru Udara 34, Akila Jayasundara 24, Nisala Tharaka 7/50, Devind Pathmanathan 2/33.
Tamil Union – 57 for no loss in 18 overs: Pabasara Waduge 31*, Imal Liyanage 25*.
SL Army vs Badureliya
Only 77 overs were possible throughout all three days as the hosts’ made 287 for 6 throughout the three days.
SL Army – 287/6 in 77 overs: Asela Gunarathne 124*, Shalika Karunanayake 61, Sanjika Ridma 48, Imesh Udayanga 3/81, Dulanjana Mendis 2/65.
The marquee clash of the weekend between the neighbours, NCC vs SSC at NCC grounds saw only 2.4 overs of play after SSC skipper Danushka Gunathilake won the toss and elected to field on Friday. The hosts’ were 7 for no loss.
Colts CC lost both their openers, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Shehan Fernando cheaply to the bowling of Imran Khan in their match against Bloomfield C & AC at Bloomfield grounds. The visitors were 24 for 2 in 6 overs on Friday, scores remained the same on Sunday as well.
Saracens SC were 44 for 1 in 15.1 overs at Mattegoda in their Group A match against Sri Lanka Ports Authority Cricket Club. Seamer Omesh Wijesiriwardana captured the solitary wicket. Opener Sangeeth Cooray top-scored with 29*.
