The last two games of the SLC Major League Tier ‘B’ Tournament 2018/19 ended in draws today, 23rd May 2019. Kurunegala Youth CC played Police Sports Club at Welagedera Stadium, Kurunegala while Kalutara Town Club locked horns with Sri Lanka Air Force SC at Surrey Village, Maggona.
Sri Lanka Air Force Sports Club vs Kalutara Town Club
Suminda Lakshan led the batting for the Airmen with a marathon 153 runs to take them to a comfortable 335-run first-innings total. Chamikara Hewage played the blockathon with 69 runs off 163 deliveries to help Lakshan on the other end. The two openers, Lahiru Kumara and the debutant, Thenuka Liyanage, got off to a decent start but slipped in quick succession as Air Force were at 48 for 2. Hashan Vimukthi, who was also making his first-class debut, failed to make an impact as he fell for 10 runs. Lakshan and Hewage put up a 218 run partnership to save them from embarrassment.
Pasindu Madushan bagged a fifer for Kalutara while Geethal Fernando and Madhawa Nimesh picked up 2 wickets each.
In reply, Kalutara Town Club posted 307 runs. Skipper Nilushan Nonis top-scored with 85 runs. He was assisted by the Thomian duo, Ravindu Kodithuwakku and Sachitha Jayathilake, who struck half-centuries.
Nimesha Mendis picked up 4 wickets with his skiddy left-arm spin. Suminda Lakshan struck once again as he wrapped up a brilliant fifer to complement his ton.
The game was brought to a tame draw as Air Force decided to bat out the rest of the day. They scored 258 runs for 6 wickets by the close of play. Suminda Lakshan had a dream game as he top-scored once again with 89 runs.
Brief scores
SLAF 335 all out
Suminda Lakshan 153, Chamikara Hewage 69, Pasindu Madushan 5/100, Madawa Nimesh 2/34, Geethal Fernando 2/37
& 258/6 (60.3)
Suminda Lakshan 89, Udayawansha Parakrama 63, Lahiru Kumara 50
KTC 307 all out (91.4)
Nilushan Nonis 85, Ravindu Kodithuwakku 69, Sachitha Jayathilake 52, Suminda Lakshan 5/85, Nimesha Mendis 4/75
Match Drawn
Read More: Lankan CC emerge champions
Kurunegala Youth Cricket Club vs Police Sports Club
Taking first lease of the wicket, Kurunegala Youth CC scored 262 runs in their first-innings. Experienced Anurudda Rajapakshe chipped in with heroics down the order with 77 runs. Youngster Dulaj Ranathunga also struck a useful 54 runs.
Dinuka Hettiarachchi and Manjula Jayawardene picked up 4 wickets each.
The new kid on the block, Nishan Madushka, rocketed the cops to the top with a graceful ton. Manjula Jayawardena and Mahesh Priyadarshana both struck useful knocks late down the order, scoring 81 and 74 respectively. Police SC finished the innings on a high with 439 runs on board.
Anurudda Rajapakshe was the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets to his name. Lahiru Jayarathne also picked up 3 wickets for 61 runs.
The boys from Kurunegala came back strongly as they ended the game with 402 runs for the loss of 9 wickets, thanks to their young guns, Damith Perera and Randeer Ranasinghe. Perera scored a quick-fire 106 runs while Ranasinghe struck 83. Manjula Jayawardene picked up 3 wickets to top the bowling charts while Dinuka Hettiarachchi picked up 2 wickets to hit the rare milestone of 1000 first-class wickets.
Read More: Akeel Inham scores twin centuries as all games end in draws
Brief scores
KYCC 262 all out (74.2)
Anuruddha Rajapakshe 77, Dulaj Ranathunga 54, Manjula Jayawardene 4/75, Dinuka Hettiarachchi 4/82
& 402/9 (59.4)
Damith Perera 106, Randeer Ranasinghe 83, Keshan Wanniarachchi 68, Manjula Jayawardene 3/158, Dinuka Hettiarachchi 2/105, Sujan Mayura 2/31
PSC 439 all out (116.2)
Nishan Madushka 143, Mahesh Priyadarshana 81, Manjula Jayawardene 74, Anuruddha Rajapakshe 4/103, Lahiru Jayarathne 3/61, Rasanjana Jayarathne 2/67
Match Drawn
