Bad weather pushes Major L/O semi-finals into second day

Sadeera Samarawickrama, the Tamil Union skipper, plays a sweep shot watched by non-striker Navod Paranavithana and wicket-keeper Pathum Dilshan in the Major Limited Over semi-final against Sri Lanka Army SC at Surrey Village, Maggona yesterday

The two semi-finals of the SLC Major Limited Over cricket tournament, which began yesterday at Surrey Village, Maggona and Army grounds Dombagoda, could not be completed due to bad weather.

According to the playing conditions the two matches will be continued into the second day today. If there is no outright winner, the group leaders will qualify to play in the final scheduled for 30 November at the P. Sara Oval.

At Maggona, Tamil Union invited to bat first by Sri Lanka Army SC, were dismissed for 242 with the main contributions coming from the skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama, who scored a half-century off 85 balls and opener Navod Paranavithana who hit an enterprising 49 off 55 balls with one six and six fours.

Army kept the Tamil Union run rate in check through their three spinners Seekkuge Prasanna, Gayan Bandara and Suminda Lakshan, who collectively conceded 106 runs off 30 overs while claiming five wickets.

Rain at the innings break prevented Army SC from beginning their run chase.

In the other semi-final at Dombagoda, Ragama CC put into bat first by NCC were 114-5 at the end of the 31st over when rain ended play. Ragama CC’s batting was tied down by the leg-spin of Sachindu Colombage, who accounted for three of the five wickets to fall for 26 runs. Opener Nishan Madushanka held the Ragama CC innings from total capitulation with a steady unbeaten 41 off 78 balls.

Scores:

+At Surrey Village, Maggona: Tamil Union 242 (50) (Navod Paranavithana 49, Supun Kavinda 21, Sadeera Samarawickrama 50, Santhush Gunathilake 37, Shiran Fernando 23, Jeffrey Vandersay 20, Heshan Hettiarachchi 3/42, Seekkuge Prasanna 2/39, Suminda Lakshan 2/46) v SL Army SC

+At Army grounds, Dombagoda: Ragama CC 114-5 (31) (Nishan Madushka 41*, Janith Liyanage 26, Avishka Tharindu 21, Sachindu Colombage 3/26) v NCC.

(LEAGUE MATCH)

+At Bloomfield: Bloomfield beat Ace Capital CC by 84 runs (D/L method)

Bloomfield 230-9 (50) (Kasun Ekanayake 91, Sanoj Darshika 43, Sanjika Ridma 2/37, Pramud Hettiwatte 4/44)

Ace Capital CC 134-9 (35) (Hasitha Perera 44, Pramud Hettiwatte 26, Tharinda Yasas 2/23, Matheesha Perera 3/33, Dileepa Jayalath 3/12) – (ST)