Former Sebastianite Dilhan Cooray made a sparkling, unbeaten 81 to anchor the Galle CC batting against the defending champions, Tamil Union C & AC on day one in their SLC Premier League ‘Tier A’ Tournament game at P. Sara Oval grounds today.
29-year old Cooray batting at number 4 made a stylish 81 off 162 with 7 fours after skipper Sajeewa Weerakoon elected to bat. The visitors ended day one on a strong position at 247 for 4 in 83 overs. The opening pair, Minhaj Jaleel and Nilushan Nonis got crucial starts of 25 and 34 respectively the Mendis duo; Dulanjana and Jeewan got the better of them.
Cooray shared two vital stands with Shalika Karunanayake and Eranga Rathnayake. He added 69 with Karunanayake for the 4th wicket while Rathnayake partnered up till stumps adding 87 unbroken runs. Right-handed Karunanayake struck 4 fours and 2 sixes during his 51-ball 45 while former Benedictine Rathnayake made an unbeaten 34 off 73 balls. Experienced Jeewan Mendis grabbed two wickets with the ball for the home team.
Galle CC – 247/4 in 83 overs: Minhaj Jaleel 25, Nilushan Nonis 34, Dilhan Cooray 81*, Shalika Karunanayake 45, Eranga Rathnayake 34*, Jeewan Mendis 2/56.
Panadura SC vs Kalutara Town CC
Left-arm spinner, Gayan Sirisoma recorded his second 10-wicket haul in consecutive games as Panadura SC has the upper hand over Kalutara Town CC at stumps on day two in their SLC Premier League ‘Tier B’ Tournament match at Panadura Esplanade grounds.
Earlier on day one, skipper Chamara Silva, Sanjaya Chathuranga and Charitha Buddhika smashed half-centuries to propel the hosts to 353. Left-arm spinner Mangala Kumara picked up 4 wickets for the visitors from Kalutara.
Sirisoma playing his 96th first-class match spread his magic once again taking 7 for 53 to dismantle Kalutara Town CC for just 166 runs. Mangala Kumara and Risith Upamal made fighting knocks of 41 each. After being asked to follow-on, the visitors ended day two on 112 for 3 with 75 runs still behind in second innings. Sirisoma took all three wickets.
Panadura SC – 353 all out in 80.1 overs: Mohommad Shilmi 43, Nisal Randika 21, Chamara Silva 58, Sanjaya Chathuranga 50, Charitha Buddhika 55*, Mishen Silva 30, Gayan Sirisoma 24, Mangala Kumara 4/100, Tharindu Siriwardena 3/64.
Kalutara Town CC – 166 all out in 61.1 overs: Risith Upamal 41, Mangala Kumara 41, Geeth Perera 33*, Gayan Sirisoma 7/53, Sanjaya Chathuranga 2/35.
Kalutara Town CC (2nd Inn F/O) – 112/3 in 41 overs: Tharindu Siriwardena 50*, Risith Upamal 29, Gayan Sirisoma 3/34.
Both matches will continue tomorrow.
