SSC, Bloomfield, Police SC, Army SC grab first innings points

Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan’s (above) sons Ranuk Jayasuriya and Naren Muralitharan 

Tharindu Harshana’s century gave Bloomfield a win against Galle CC

• Vihas Thewmika captures nine SSC wickets in an innings
• Sons of two famous cricketers play for rival teams

At the historic P. Sara Oval, a unique occurrence took place in the SLC Under-23 2-Day match between SSC and Tamil Union, where the sons of two famous cricketing icons of Sri Lanka, Sanath Jayasuriya and Muttiah Muralitharan, played together in a match. 

Ranuk Jayasuriya, son of Sanath playing for SSC, scored 43 out of their total of 343, which gave his team a first innings points win against Tamil Union, for whom the son of Muralitharan, Naren, scored 18 out of a first innings score of 192 and bowled 9 overs for 44 runs without taking a wicket. 

SSC, resuming at 145-5, went past Tamil Union’s score mainly due to a 99-run stand between two former Sri Lanka U19 cricketers Dinura Kalupahana (63 off 75 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) and Chamindu Wickramasinghe (66 off 56 balls, 10 fours, 1 six). Another former Sri Lanka U19 cricketer Vihas Thewmika shone for Tamil Union, capturing nine wickets for 122 runs off 30.2 overs with his off-breaks. Tamil Union in their second innings fared much better, scoring 352 courtesy fifties from Sineth Jayawardena (59 off 37 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes), Shanuka Galagoda (77 off 70 balls, 9 fours, 2 sixes), and Naren Muralitharan (74 off 83 balls, 8 fours). Gishan Balasooriya, the former Royal College left-arm spinner finished with a match bag of 10/198 (6/114 in the second innings).  

At Surrey Village Ground, Maggona, Army SC pulled off a thrilling three-run first innings points win against Badureliya CC. Replying to Badureliya CC’s first innings of 211, Army SC had to depend heavily on their last pair Dimantha Arusha (40 off 66 balls) and Shavin Perera (4* off 28 balls), who added 19 valuable runs to carry Army SC from 195-9 past Badureliya CC’s total. Left-arm spinner Brian Hansaja took 4/46. In their second innings, Badureliya CC were rolled over for 74 by the right-arm seam of Shenel Samarathunga (6/26).

Police SC secured an easy first innings points win against Kandy Customs CC at Army grounds, Dombagoda. Replying to Kandy Customs CC’s first innings of 195, Police SC replied with 289, largely attributed to 23-year-old right-hander Sangeeth Shehara’s century – 118 off 183 balls (12 fours). Kandy Customs CC made 144-6 in their second innings.

Bloomfield recovered from their overnight score of 122-5 to total 318-8 declared in reply to Galle CC’s first innings of 188 and took first innings points at Bloomfield Grounds. The highlight of their innings was former Thurstanite Tharindu Harshana’s unbeaten century (104* off 190 balls, 10 fours) and his 101-run stand for the sixth wicket with Tharinda Guruge (54 off 86 balls, 8 fours). Galle CC scored 128-7 in their second innings. Guruge had a match bag of 11/105 (8/46 in the first innings) with his off-breaks.

In a high-scoring game, at Air Force Frounds, Katunayake, Panadura SC and Negombo C C played out a tame draw. In reply to Panadura SC’s first innings of 361-8 declared, Negombo CC scored 323-7, the highlight of their innings being Thathsara Eshan’s unbeaten 115 off 184 balls (11 fours) and his seventh wicket partnership of 94 with Lester Jayaweera (43).

In the two matches which began yesterday, Nugegoda SWC have already obtained first innings points from United Southern SC at Saliyapura Army Grounds, Anuradhapura, while Moratuwa SC finished the day on 283-5 against Chilaw Marians CC at De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa.

Daham Nirmal, the former DS Senanayake all-rounder, ran through the United Southern SC batting for 54, taking 6/19 with his right-arm seam. Nugegoda SWC replied with 231 to take first innings points, with Pulindu Perera making a top score of 59 and off-spinner Sasanka Nirmal (4/81) and former Isipathana College skipper Sithuka Gunawardena (4/60) sharing eight wickets. United Southern SC were 14-1 in their second innings. The principal scorers for Moratuwa SC were Isula Niduwara (86* off 240 balls, 5 fours) and skipper Sahan Kawshalya (97 off 120 balls, 13 fours), who put on 150 for the fifth wicket. 

Both matches will continue today. – [ST]