Tamil Union consolidate top position with win over Saracens SC

Yohan Liyanage scored a hundred on first-class debut for Ragama CC

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Heshan Danushka celebrates his double century that gave Police SC a first innings win over Ragama CC

Sri Lanka and CCC wicket-keeper Minod Bhanuka affected seven dismissals in the Moors SC first innings

Sonal Dinusha took a career best 8 for 67 for CCC against Moors SC

Group B leaders Tamil Union further consolidated their position in the SLC Major League Inter-Club Tournament with a four-wicket win over Saracens SC at the P Sara Oval yesterday.

Having conceded a first innings lead of 46, Saracens were bowled out for 169 in their second innings with Sri Lanka U19 captain Raveen de Silva making an impressive first-class debut taking a match haul of seven wickets with his leg breaks. Requiring 124 to win Tamil Union knocked the runs off losing six wickets.  

Sri Lanka Test spinner Prabath Jayasuriya took his seventh ten-wicket match haul (11/181) of his first-class career to bowl SSC to a 113-run win over BRC at the BRC grounds. Chasing a target of 364, BRC were dismissed for 250 with Jayasuriya taking 5/110 to go with his six wickets in the first innings.   

Punjab’s leg-spinner Raghu Sharma was once again instrumental in Galle CC securing their second win in successive weekends when he took a match bag of 11 wickets for 108 (6 for 56 in second innings) to bowl his team to an innings and 13 runs win over Kalutara TC at Galle. Kalutara TC resuming at 40-1 were dismissed for 202 in their second innings.

Navy SC bounced back strongly after conceding a first innings lead of 63 to defeat Nugegoda SWC by 106 runs at Moratuwa. A strong batting performance led by opener Adeesha Nanayakkara 96 (5 fours) and Madura Madushanka 60 (3 fours) saw Navy SC declare at 302-9 and set Nugegoda a target of 240. But left-arm spinner Navin Kavikara sealed their fate with his second six-wicket haul of the match to put them out for 133.   

Chilaw Marians CC were indebted to Raveen Yasas for steering them to a close two-run first innings win over Ace Capital CC in their drawn game at the R Premadasa Stadium. Yasas hit an unbeaten 118 off 289 balls (7 fours) – his maiden first-class hundred as Chilaw Marians scored 290 in reply to Ace Capital’s 288.  

Despite Sri Lanka cricketer Wanindu Hasaranga’s all-round performance (56 and 4 wickets) Moors SC held onto a draw at Moors grounds against CCC who had to be satisfied with first innings points. Moors SC skipper and Sri Lanka all-rounder Ramesh Mendis scored 89 and 41 and took 6/65 in the CCC second innings.

A feature of CCC’s win was the wicket-keeping of Sri Lanka cap Minod Bhanuka who accounted for seven dismissals (4ct, 3st) in the Moors SC first innings – all off the bowling of left-arm spinner Sonal Dinusha who returned career best figures of 8/67 (match bag of 11/132).

Colts rode on Hashan Dumindu’s ninth first-class century (138* off 251 balls, 12 fours) to pull off a first innings win over Lankan CC in a high scoring draw at Colts grounds. Colts scored 413-8 declared in reply to Lankan CC’s 409-9 declared.

Centuries from Sandun Weerakkody (150 off 172 balls, 13 fours, 6 sixes) and Sahan Arachchige (110 off 224 balls, 10 fours) saw NCC edge out Negombo CC in the first innings by 11 runs. Negombo CC 353, NCC 364.

Former Isipathana College batting all-rounder Heshan Danushka became the fifth batsmen this season to score a double century when he guided Police SC to an emphatic first innings win over Ragama CC which ended in a high scoring draw at Police Park.

Ragama CC looked quite comfortable after notching up 400, but Police SC surpassed their total losing only four wickets with Danushka playing the pivotal role scoring 233 off 385 balls (24 fours, 4 sixes) out of 460-6 declared. Yohan Liyanage scored a century on his first-class debut (106 off 100 balls, 10 fours, 4 sixes) in Ragama’s second innings of 202-3.

In another high scoring drawn game at Panadura, Panadura SC declared their first innings at 446-9 after overtaking Air Force SC total of 440. Indian recruits Parth Palawat made 73 (9 fours, 3 sixes) and Abishek Gupta 90 (9 fours, 1 six), Lakshan Rodrigo contributed with 84 (10 fours) and skipper Koshan Danuska 51* (5 fours, 2 sixes).

Pakistan-born Zahid Mansoor hit a defiant 113 off 209 balls (14 fours) to help Badureliya SC force a draw against Army SC at Panagoda after being made to follow-on. Sebastianites 352 took first innings points from Kurunegala YCC 239 and 297 in their drawn game at Dombagoda.