Sunday Apr 05, 2026
Sunday Apr 05, 2026
Saturday, 7 March 2026 00:27 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Opener Nimesha Gunasinghe hit a career best 148* to lead Ace Capital CC’s run spree against defending champions Bloomfield on the opening day of the SLC Major Club 3-day Super Eight match at Dambulla Rangiri Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Gunasinghe struck 15 fours in his 272-ball knock for 148* as Ace Capital CC winning the toss and choosing to bat first ended the day in convincing fashion at 338-3 as all the Bloomfield bowlers were put to the sword. Gunasinghe and Pawantha Weerasinghe laid the base for Ace Capital CC’s total with a stand of 114 when Weerasinghe (65* off 107 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) was forced to retire hurt with cramps in his leg. Gunasinghe was further involved in another century stand – 133* with Kavindu Kulasekara (54* off 102 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) that took Ace Capital CC past the 300-run mark.
Police SC took control of their match against BRC at the CCC grounds. Left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera took 5/85 to dismiss BRC for 180 and by stumps Police SC had batted themselves into a strong position by replying with 132-3 to trail by 48 runs from gaining a first innings lead. Former Mahinda College, Galle opener Dhanuja Induwara was unbeaten on 73 (121 balls, 11 fours, 1 six), the highest score of his 17-match first-class career. At one point of their innings BRC were badly placed at 75-6 but were pulled out of trouble by big hitting Movin Subasingha who raced to 65 off 60 balls inclusive of 3 fours and 6 sixes.
Ahan Wickramasinghe scored his 7th first-class century to help NCC total 274 against CCC at the Colts grounds. Wickramasinghe hit 5 fours and 3 sixes in his 134-ball innings where he put together a partnership of 100 with Niroshan Dickwella (58 off 79 balls, 7 fours). Former Sri Lanka U19 seamer Duvindu Ranatunga was the pick of the CCC bowlers with 3/44. By the close CCC had wiped out 40 of the runs losing one wicket.
Colts recovered from losing half the side for 76 to post a total of 288 against Moors SC at Surrey Village grounds, Maggona. Colts were rescued by their captain Dhananjaya Lakshan (79 off 105 balls, 13 fours, 1 six) and Muditha Lakshan (69 off 92 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) who added 141 for the sixth wicket. Seamers Shiran Fernando (5/46) and Milan Rathnayake (3/63) were the principal wicket-takers. Moors SC lost the wicket of Sadeera Samarawickrama for 18 to finish on 40-1. All matches will continue on the second day today.
