The second week of the SLC U23 provincial tournament commenced this weekend with 3 matches starting today and one match concluding today in Colombo. Here’s the round up of today’s proceedings.
North Western Province vs North Central Province
North Western came back strongly with ball to hang the match in the balance against North Central Province at Panagoda. NCP won the toss and elected to field first. Helekamal Nanayakkara and Chandula Weerarathne put up a lethal bowling performance to clean up NWC for just 104 runs in the second session. Helakamala bagged 5 for 34 while Chandula took 3 for 15. Sashin Dilranga was the top scorer for North Western with 20 runs.
North Western had their backs to the wall after a disappointing first innings but they made amends with the ball in hand. North Central could only manage 158 before being cleaned up in their first innings which handed them a slender lead of 54 runs. Helakamal was the star yet again with 69 runs. Sachith Pieris and Asitha Fernando shared 3 wickets each.
At stumps, in their 2nd innings NCP was 21 for 2 still trailing by 33 runs.
North Western Province – 104 (29.1) Sashin Dilranga 20, Helakamal Nanayakkara 5/34, Chandula Weerarathne 3/15 & 21/2 (6.2)
North Central Province – 158 (57.3) Helakamal Nanayakkara 69, Sachintha Pieris 3/43, Asitha Fernando 3/34
Western Province Central vs Central Province
Former Trinitian Ron Chandraguptha and Thanuka Dabare guided Central Province into a commanding position at stumps against Western Central at CCC grounds. Central Province won the toss and elected to field first. In form Himasha Liyanage and Akeel inham guided WPC to a formidable first innings total of 249 runs. Himasah top scored with 75 while Akeel scored 53. With the ball for Central Province Mohommad Shiraz and Lakshan Fernando shared 4 wickets each.
In reply, Central Province dominated with the bat with Ron Chandraguptha and Thanuka Dabare scoring unbeaten half centuries. At stumps they were 183 for 1 in 36 overs, trailing by only 76 runs
Western Province – Central 249 (53.2) Akeel Inham 53, Himasha Liyanage 75, Mohammed Shiraz 4/55, Lakshan Fernando 4/60
Central Province – 183/1 (36) Ron Chandraguptha 62*, Thanuka Dabare 67*
Western Province South vs Eastern Province
Western Province chased down 119 in their second innings to beat Eastern Province by 2 wickets. Sandakan Pathirana made the difference with his 10 wicket haul which turned the tables in favor of WPS. WPS won the toss and elected to bat first. They managed to post 254 thanks to contributions from Malindu Maduranga and Rashmika Opatha. K Madushan bagged 6 for 82 for Eastern Province.
In reply, Eastern were cleaned up for just 84 runs with Sandakan Pathirana taking 7 for 23. They were asked to follow on and in their second innings they managed to score 288 runs. Former Thomian skipper Sachintha Jayathilaka top scored with 112 runs and Ramesh Nimantha scored 77 runs. Sandakan once again was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets to complete his ten wicket haul.
WPS got a target of 118 runs and they got over the line after a hard fought battle against the Eastern Province bowlers.
Western Province South – 254 (71.3) Malindu Maduranga 53, Rashmika Opatha 47, Madawa Nimesh 32, Lakshitha Marasinghe 23*, K Thanushan 6/82, Ramesh Imantha 3/49 & 121/8 (29.5) Mohammed Jaleel 42, Malindu Maduranga 30, K Thanushan 3/45, Sanjika Ridama 2/20, Pramod Hettiwatta 2/25
Eastern Province – 84 (31) Nipuna Gamage 18, Ranitha Liyanarachchi 2/15, Sandakan Pathirana 7/23 & F/O 288 (61.2) Ramindu Nikeshala 46, Ramesh Nimantha 77, Sachintha Jayathilaka 112, Sandakan Pathirana 3/86, Pramod Maduwantha 3/35,Lakshitha Marasinghe 2/45
Uva Province vs Western Province North
Western Province North took honours on day 1 in their match against Uva at Mahinda Rajapaksha international Stadium. Uva won the toss and elected to bat first. They could only manage 163 runs in their first innings with Navindu Nirmal top scoring with 64 runs. Binura Fernando bagged 5 for 20 for Western North.
In reply at stumps on day 1, WPN were 137 for 3.
Uva Province – 163 (45.1) Navindu Nirmal 64, Meedum Dineth 37, Binura Fernando 5/20
Western Province North – 137/3 (36) Pathum Nissanka 70
