The 26th Singer Mercantile league which was underway today concluded with Dimo, Teejay Lanka PLC, Commercial Credit and LB Finance registering comfortable wins.
Tharushan’s all-round show takes Kanrich ‘B’ to victory
Former Lumbini College captain Tharushan Iddamalgoda’s three wicket haul and 49 runs.
Kusal Mendis’ ton leads LB Finance to victory.
After suffering a poor run with the bat in the International arena, Kusal Mendis was back in business playing some scintillating shots taking LB Finance to a mammoth 318 for the loss of 6 wickets. Shehan Jayasuriya and Angelo Perera chipped in with some useful knocks as well.
LB Finance was off to a solid start thanks to Sadeera Samarawickrema and Shehan Jayasuriya. It was in the middle overs that Kusal Mendis accelerated the flow of runs which helped LB reach 318. Jeffery Vandersay was economical in his early overs picking up two important wickets but was struggling to finish well.
Chasing 318 Dimuth Karunaratne continued his brilliant form with the bat but did not get much support from the rest of his teammates. Ex Peterite middle order batsman Manelkar de Silva showed good intent with the bat at the start, but was not able to capitalize later on. John Keells Holdings were eventually bowled out in the 41st over for 216. Shehan Jayasuriya’s off spinners troubled the John Keells batsmen as he picked up 4 wickets for 50 runs.
LB Finance (A) 318/6 (49) Kusal Mendis 103*, Anjalo Perera 62, Shehan Jayasuriya 50, Sahan Arachchige 23, Isuru Udana 28*, Sadeera Samarawickrama 21, Jeffry Vandersay 2/68
Vs
John Keells Holdings (A) 216 (40.1) Dimuth Karunarathne 73, Manlker de Silva 34, Bhanuka Rajapaksha 22, Maduka Liyanapathirana 21, Shehan Jayasuriya 4/50, Shiran Fernando 2/42
Result – LB Finance won by 102 Runs
All-round performance help Teejay Lanka win rain affected game
At the FTZ sports complex in Katunayake Teejay Lanka defeated Kanrich Finance in another Singer Mercantile Tier 1 encounter. Kanrich Finance decided to put Teejay Lanka into bat first. Sachithra Senanayake gave Teejay Lanka a very good start but could not keep going on thanks to some spirit bowling performances by Kanrich Finance. With the support of Sachithra Serasinghe and Minod Banuka Teejay Lanka were able to post a nominal score of 255 in their allocated 50 overs.
The torrential rains were not in favor of Kanrich Finance as interruptions cost them their momentum. Lasith Malinga was brilliant with the ball picking 3 wickets as Teejay Lanka secured a 23 run victory via Duckworth Lewis method.
Teejay Lanka PLC 255/7 (50) Sachithra Senanayaka 41, Milinda Siriwardana 25, Sachithra Serasinghe 70, Minod Banuka 49, Dilesh Gunarathna 3/43, Akila Dananjaya 2/39
Vs
Kanrich Finance (A) 165/7 (27.2) Osanda Fernando 60, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara 20*, Alankara Asanka 28, Lasith Malinga 3/25
Result – Teejay won by 23 Runs (D/L Method)
Madushanka and Hasaranga see Commercial Credit through
In another Mercantile cricket encounter between Sampath Bank and Commercial Credit, Lahiru Madushanka and Wanidu Hasaranga secured a comfortable victory for Commercial Credit at the Surrey Cricket grounds in Maggona.
Batting first Sampath bank was able to post 222 before they were bundled up in the 46th over. Jeewan Mendis and Dasun Shanaka were the only two batsmen who looked solid in their approach. Malinda Pushpakumara and Chamika Karunaratne were the chief destroyers for Commercial Credit picking 4 wickets each.
222 on a bouncy Surrey wicket was a bit of a difficult task but a well composed Lahiru Madushanka and Wanidu Hasaranga made sure Commercial Credit crossed the revised target of 206 in the 39th over.
Sampath Bank 222 (45) Jeewan Mendis 66, Dasun Shanaka 43, Kaushal Silva 31, Malinda Pushpakumara 4/33, Chamika Karunarathne 2/43
Vs
Commercial Credit (A) 206/6 (38) Upul Tharanga 46, Sandun Weerakkody 45, Lahiru Madusanka 44*, Wanidu Hasaranga 40*, Charitha Buddhika 3/28, Hasantha Fernnando 2/57
Result – Commercial Credit (A) Won By 32 Runs (D/L Method)
Nisala Tharaka’s allround performance helps Dimo
In a nail biting low scoring encounter between Dimo Lanka and MAS Holdings – Unichela, Dimo held their nerve to secure a very tense victory at the Colts Cricket club.
Batting first MAS Holdings –Unichela were able to post just 193 on the board with Mahela Udawatte carrying the weight of the Unichela batting. Udawatte’s 82 and a late boost by Dhammika Prasad helped MAS reached a decent score with Nisala Tharaka pciking up 4 wickets for Dimo Lanka.
Chasing a target of 194 Dimo lanka lost wickets at regular intervals as ambidextrous spinner Kamindu Mendis and T M Sampath ripped through the Dimo batting line up with some extraordinary bowling. It was a the resistance of Charith Kumarasinghe and the all-round performance of Nisala Tharaka that helped Dimo reach the target in the finals overs of the match.
MAS Holdings – Unichela 193 (39.2) Mahela Udawatta 82, Dhammika Prasad 27, Nisala Tharaka 4/36, Shammu Ashan 2/24
Vs
Dimo 199/8 (46.5) Charitha Kumarasinghe 44, Nisala Tharaka 36, Dinesh Chandimal 34, Kamindu Mendis 3/42, T M Sampath 2/24
Result Dimo Won By 2 Wickets
