Negombo CC up against formidable SSC

Thursday, 25 December 2025 00:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Tier B 3-Day League

Negombo CC with two back-to-back innings victories under their belt meet high-riding SSC at SSC Grounds in one of six matches down for decision commencing tomorrow in the Tier B 3-Day League.

With several national players in their side, SSC have won their first three matches by an innings and this confrontation with Negombo CC, who have none, is going to be an interesting contest. Playing at home, SSC will take advantage of the pitch conditions and they have in their ranks Sri Lanka’s primary Test spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who last weekend ran through the Ragama CC batting to pick up a match bag of 10 wickets. This will be Negombo CC’s biggest challenge if they are to give a good account of themselves.

Second-placed United Southern SC, who came from behind to beat Leo CC last weekend and maintain pressure on SSC, have another opportunity to try and close the point’s gap when they play Kandy Customs SC at Army Grounds, Saliyapura.

Moratuwa SC, one of four teams to win outright last weekend, have another opportunity to repeat that success against Malay CC at the Bloomfield Grounds. Malay CC’s form has been rather up and down and Moratuwa SCg who have run up the highest total for the season so far – 432-7 against Galle CC, should prevail unless Malay CC can spring a surprise as they did against Navy SC.

Sebastianites with two first innings wins will look for full points when they take on Ragama CC at the Bloomfield Grounds. Ragama CC, after their initial success, have lost their next two matches outright and don’t look like a side that is strong enough to give their opponents a good run.

Leo CC and Army SC at Katunayake should turn out to be a close tussle for honours, while Navy SC and Galle CC, both teams without a win, will battle it out at Welisara. [ST]