Saracens SC, BRC grab first innings points on batsmen dominated first day

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Batsmen dominated the opening day of the second weekend of matches in the SLC Major League Inter-Club tournament with no less than seven of them scoring centuries, while in contrast 16 wickets fell in the match between Saracens SC and Bloomfield at Bloomfield yesterday.

Saracens SC have already grabbed first innings points after rolling over Bloomfield for a paltry 67 and then replying with 146-6 to lead by 79 runs. Isitha Wijesundera, the former Thurstanite fast bowler took his first five-fer in a first-class career spanning just seven matches to put Saracens SC in command. 

Wijesundera ran through the Bloomfield batting to take six wickets for 23 runs. The first three Bloomfield wickets fell without a run on the board. Prior to yesterday’s performance Wijesundera had taken only five first-class wickets in six matches. Mohamed Dilshad with his left-arm fast medium deliveries proved an ideal foil to Wijesundera taking three wickets for 20. 

BRC was the other club to take first innings points when they finished strongly 164-1 having bowled out Kandy Customs SC for 113 courtesy of a five-wicket haul by Tillakaratne Sampath, brother of former Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan. BRC opener Dilan Jayalath was unbeaten on 82 having partnered Leo Fransisco (55) in a century opening stand.

SSC went on a run spree against Lankan CC at the R. Premadasa Stadium racing to 391-2 courtesy of hundreds from Nipun Dananjaya and Nuwanidu Fernando who put on a second wicket partnership of 163. 

Dananjaya, the former Sri Lanka U19 World Cup captain hit a career best 152 off 211 balls (18 fours, 1 six) and passed 1,000 first-class runs in his 13th match, and Fernando, the younger brother of Sri Lanka fast bowler Vishwa Fernando scored his second consecutive century of the tournament with an unbeaten 136 (off 155 balls, 11 fours, 3 sixes) which is easily his highest score in first-class cricket. Dananjaya and Krishan Sanjula (77 off 96 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) laid the platform for a big SSC total with an opening stand of 172.

The match at Dombagoda also saw two batsmen making hundreds – Thulina Dilshan made a career best 142* off 230 balls (13 fours, 1 six) and skipper Lakshan Edirisinghe scored his maiden first-class century – 117* off 160 balls (13 fours, 1 six) as Army SC put into bat first made 279-1 against Panadura SC. The pair has so far figured in an unbroken stand of 237 for the second wicket. 

Sri Lanka cap Kamindu Mendis scored his second successive century with an unbeaten 118 off 166 balls (13 fours, 1 six) for defending champions CCC to end the day nicely placed at 323-3 against Kalutara TC at the CCC grounds.  

Ragama CC’s one down bat and wicket-keeper Nishan Madushka who scored a century in each innings last weekend followed his sensational batting form with another noteworthy knock – 155* off 217 balls (17 fours) to see his club finish strongly on 328-2 against Sebastianites after being invited to bat first at Thurstan grounds. 

Madushka added 148 for the second wicket with Saminda Fernando (83 off 122 balls, 14 fours) and a further 168 in an unfinished third wicket stand with Sri Lanka cap and Ragama CC captain Janith Liyanage (85* off 164 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes).

Indian Anuj Jotin from New Delhi helped Chilaw Marians CC to 237-5 against Nugegoda SWC at De Soysa Park, Moratuwa with his maiden first-class century – 101* off 198 balls (14 fours) after they had lost the first four wickets for 35. Half-centuries from Avishka Perera (79 off 68 balls, 8 fours, 3 sixes) and Shalin de Mel (75 off 69 balls, 12 fours, 1 six) who put together an opening stand of 158, and an unbeaten 85 (off 132 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) from Ravindu Rashantha enabled Colts to finish on a high at 370-4 against Galle CC at Colts grounds. 

Fifties from Sri Lanka wicket-keeper/bat Niroshan Dickwella (51 off 37 balls, 6 fours) and Asel Sigera (74 off 115 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes) and a career best knock of 47 from Sri Lanka spinner Lasith Embuldeniya saw NCC make 307 against Air Force SC. Left-arm spinner Dulanjana Mendis took five wickets for Air Force SC who finished on 32-2.

Moors SC failed to capitalise on an opening stand of 104 between Dinuka Dilshan (72) and Pabasara Waduge (51) when they were dismissed for 273 at Police Park. By stumps Police SC had replied with 50-1.

Badureliya SC put on a dour batting display to finish on 177-8 off 73.4 overs before bad light ended play against Tamil Union at Surrey Village, Maggona. Negombo CC were 90-4 in reply to Ace Capital CC’s first innings of 223 at BOI, Katunayake.