All-round Udarata Rulers confirmed their place in the finals on July 2nd with another comprehensive win over Western Troopers. Persistent rain around Colombo on Saturday evening abandoned the clash between Southern Express and Yaal Blazers on day 2 of the SLC Super Fours Tournament 2014 played at SSC grounds.
Udarata Rulers vs Western Troopers
Shehan Jayasuriya’s explosive 30-ball 50 ensured Udarata Rulers claimed their rightful place in the finals beating their closest competitor, Western Troopers by a large margin of 55 runs in the 3rd game of the SLC Super Fours Tournament 2014.
Udarata Rulers skipper Lahiru Thirimanne lost the toss to Kithruwan Vithanage and was asked to bat first. Dhananjaya De Silva and Upul Tharanga ensured their team got off to a steady start once again by adding 55 runs for the 1st wicket before De Silva was dismissed for 20 runs. Upul Tharanga and one drop batsman Chamara Silva contributed with valuable 36 and 26 runs respectively to their team’s total before they were sent back to the dug-out by Maduka Liyanapathiranage. Exciting talent, Shehan Jayasuriya maneuvered the ball perfectly despite his big shots in a well-constructed innings of 50 runs while Lahiru Thirimanne added the finishing touches with an unbeaten quick-fire 21 runs as Udarata Rulers posted a commendable score of 174 for the loss of 5 wickets in their 20 overs. Maduka Liyanapathiranage and seamer Suranga Lakmal captured two wickets apiece.
Chasing a brittle target of 175, Western Troopers chase was struck with a major blow when Shehan Jayasuriya’s off-spinners removed dangerous Dilshan Munaweera in the 2nd over and since then Western Troopers never found proper momentum or impetus to chase down Rulers score as they were bundled out for a mere 118 runs with 10 balls yet to be bowled. Isuru Udana top scored for the Troopers with 20 runs in 14 balls while Ajantha Mendis was the pick of the Udarata bowlers with a 3-wicket haul for 28 runs in his 4 overs.
Chief Scores:
Udarata Rulers – 174/5 in 20 overs : Shehan Jayasuriya 50, Upul Tharanga 36, Chamara Silva 26, Lahiru Thirimanne 21*, Maduka Liyanapathiranage 2/26, Suranga Lakmal 2/31.
Western Troopers – 118 all out in 18.2 overs : Isuru Udana 20, Bhanuka Rajapakshe 19, Ajantha Mendis 3/28, Asela Gunarathne 2/28, Dilhara Lokuhettige 2/16, Milinda Siriwardene 2/14.
Man of the Match – Shehan Jayasuriya
Southern Express vs Yaal Blazers
Continuous and heavy showers upon SSC grounds ensured Southern Express and Yaal Blazers’s win column remains zero as the 2nd match of day 2 in the SLC Super Fours Tournament 2014 ended without a result.
World T20 winning skipper of Southern Express, Lasith Malinga won the toss of coin and elected to bat first. Southern Express got off to blazing start with two young openers in Niroshan Dickwella and Yashoda Lanka hammering the Yaal Blazers bowling to all parts of the ground with fearsome striking in the batting power-play. Niroshan scored 25 runs while Yashoda made 24 runs before number 3 batsman and experienced Jehan Mubarak batted sensibly to take his team to par score of 139 runs in 20 overs after right arm off-spinner Alankara Asanka Silva took 4 wickets to trigger a collapse in the Southern Express middle order. Jehan’s unbeaten knock of 43 runs comprised of five delightful fours and a massive six. Farveez Maharoof struck three sixes in his 18-ball knock of 29 in the death overs as off-spin duo of Alankara Asanka and Ramith Rambukwella shared 7 wickets for Yaal Blazers.
Chasing 140 runs in 20 overs with only 7 runs needed in an over, Dilruwan Perera got two valued wickets of Ashan Priyanjan and Yaal Blazer’s skipper Dinesh Chandimal as Yaal Blazers were restricted to 21 runs for 2 wickets in 4 overs before the hefty downpour brought a pre-mature end to what would have been a tight contest.
Chief Scores:
Southern Express – 139 all out in 20 overs : Jehan Mubarak 43*, Niroshan Dickwella 25, Yashoda Lanka 24, Farveez Maharoof 29, Alankara Asanka Silva 4/25, Ramith Rambukwella 3/21.
Yaal Blazers – 21/2 in 4 overs : Mahela Udawatte 9*, Dilruwan Perera 2/7.
