Tamil Union-Ragama CC contest takes top billing

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Ragama CC’s Avishka Tharindu the leading run-getter with 478 runs

Dilum Sudeera Thilakaratne of Tamil Union the joint leading bowler with 31 wickets

The Tamil Union v Ragama CC match at the P Sara Oval commencing tomorrow will take top billing in the weekend’s matches of the Major Club Emerging 3-day tournament.

Tamil Union are one of two teams who have won all their matches played so far and have a 100 percent record, Colts being the other. They lead Group C with 50.920 points, and only 2.210 points separate them from second placed Ragama CC (48.710). So whoever comes out on top of the clash will certainly consolidate their position to head the group.

Ragama CC’s batting juggernaut has seen them piling up totals of 500-6decl., 501-8 decl, and 451-7 decl in the three matches they have played so far and it will take some doing by Tamil Union to stop them from compiling another massive score against them. Tamil Union’s success has been due to the exceptional performance of their 21-year-old slow left-arm orthodox bowler Dilum Sudeera Thilakaratne who is the joint highest wicket-taker with Moors SC’s slow left-arm orthodox bowler Theesan Vithusan. They have 31 wickets apiece. Thilakaratne has the support of off-spinner Ravindu Fernando (12 wickets) and Tamil Union will depend heavily on them to ensure that Ragama CC does not run away to a big total.

Ragama CC has two heavy scorers of the tournament in their line-up. Avishka Tharindu, the 20-year-old former St. Anthony’s College Wattala middle-order batsman is in prime form notching up two double centuries to be the leading run-getter with 478 runs (avg. 239). Not far behind is another double centurion Thevindu Dickwella, a 19-year-old left-handed opener from Isipathana College who has accumulated 341 runs (avg. 85.25).

With Group D leaders Colts (74.0) having a free weekend, second placed Army SC (54.315) get their chance to bridge the 20-point gap that separates them when they take on third placed Galle CC (33.265) at the Galle Stadium. For Army SC this game is important if they are to keep pace with Colts. A win with full points will drastically cut down the lead that Colts enjoy at the moment and set up an enthralling clash between the two sides when they meet at Panagoda on 25 March, which effectively will be Army SC’s final match. The one advantage that Colts hold over Army SC is that their final group match will be against wooden spoonists BRC starting on 1 April at the Colts grounds. So even if they lose ground in the match against Army SC there is always the chance of making amends for it in their final game.

Group B table leaders NCC (48.170) come out for their final game when they host Chilaw Marians CC (32.200) and will be looking to extend their slender lead of 1.98 over their nearest rivals Negombo CC (46.190) who are playing Kurunegala YCC (26.990) at the BOI in Katunayake. The advantage that Negombo CC has over NCC is that they have another game in hand against Saracens SC the following weekend at the Bloomfield grounds to complete their group fixtures.

Group A table toppers Moors SC (63.060) travel to Katunayake to take on Air Force SC (26.965). A win for Moors SC will ensure their place in the semi-finals even with a match to go against SSC next weekend. Only the leaders of the four groups qualify for a place in the semi-finals.

The other games starting tomorrow are: CCC v Sebastianites at CCC, Lankan CC v Navy SC at Welisara, Bloomfield v Saracens SC at Bloomfield, Badureliya CC v Police SC at Maggona, Nugegoda SWC v Panadura SC at Panadura, BRC v Kalutara TC at BRC and, Ace Capital CC v Kandy Customs SC at Thurstan.