Colts Cricket Club cruised to a comprehensive 73 run victory over Sri Lanka Army Sports Club in their SLC Premier limited overs cricket tournament match worked off at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.
Colts CC hammered a formidable 226 runs for 8 wickets from their 50 overs after they were put into bat and then stuck to their task with a disciplined bowling performance to skittle out their opponents for just 153 runs in 44.2 overs.
The match winner no doubt for Colts CC was their dynamic all rounder and middle order batsman Sachith Pathirana who smashed a near run a ball 90 not out with the aid of two sixes and eight boundaries.
Pathirana batting at number seven completely changed the complexion of the game with his explosive batting as he carried his team towards absolute safety almost single handedly.
Until then Colts CC were in real danger of being bowled out for a low score after they had lost half of their side for a mere 78 runs by the 19th over of the innings.
However Sachith Pathirana came into the crease and took control of the situation from the very first delivery before putting on two match saving partnerships along with Roshen Silva and all rounder Ishan Jayaratne.
Opening bowler Janith Silva and Chatura Damith took the bowling honours for Army SC while capturing three wickets each.
In reply Army SC struggled for runs from the beginning and never looked like making a match of it despite some stubborn batting from Mohamed Feshal, Lasie Thabrew and Asela Gunaratne.
Ishan Jayaratne had a successful opening spell with two good wickets before the two spinners Milinda Siriwardena and Akila Dananjaya wrapped up the Army SC innings while claiming two wickets each.
Colts CC: 226-8 in 50 overs (Bhanuka Rajapaksa 37, Milinda Siriwardena 20, Roshen Silva 36, Sachith Pathirana 90 n. o, Janith Silva 3/54, Chatura Damith 3/32)
Army SC: 153 in 44.2 overs (Mohamed Feshal 32, Ishan Jayaratne 2/25, Milinda Siriwardena 2/24, Akila Dananjaya 2/25)
