SSC, Negombo CC dominate opening day of Tier B 3-day league

Saturday, 20 December 2025 00:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Leo CC grab first innings points

SSC and Negombo CC dominated the opening day’s play by running up totals in excess of 350, while Leo CC managed to grab first innings points by dismissing unbeaten United Southern SC for 126 in the Tier B 3-day league tournament yesterday.

Pace setters SSC, driven by a resolute century (149 off 192 balls, 17 fours, 1 six) from Nipun Dananjaya finished strongly on 364-9 after being invited to bat first by Ragama CC at the SSC grounds. An opening stand of 54 between Avishka Fernando (45) and Shevon Daniel (58 off 80 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) laid the base for SSC’s innings. Veteran left-arm spinner Upul Indrasiri was the pick of the Ragama CC bowlers finishing with 5/121.

Centuries from Umesh Lakshan (175* off 250 balls, 21 fours, 2 sixes) and Sheshan Fernando (138 off 101 balls, 6 fours, 12 sixes) and their partnership of 211 off 213 balls for the seventh wicket saw Negombo CC recover from a shaky start 100-6 to post the highest total of the day – 379 against Galle CC at the BRC grounds. Right- and left-arm seamers Rajith Priyan (4/55) and Asela Sampath (5/77) caused the early ripple in the Negombo CC batting.

In a low scoring game at Moors SC grounds, Leo CC snuffed out United Southern SC for 126 and by the close had replied with 140-8. Mangala Pradeep has been Leo CC’s dominant figure so far having captured 5/41 with his left-arm spin and following it up with an undefeated 35 out of an unbroken ninth wicket stand of 64 with Malshan Gunasinghe (31*) to lift Leo CC from a precarious 76-8.

Half-centuries from Kevin Samuel (85* off 145 balls, 1 four, 4 sixes) and Wositha Amarasinghe (54 off 100 balls, 3 fours) and their partnership of 124 got Malay CC off to a good start – 213/4 against Army SC at Panagoda.

All-round batting contributions saw Navy SC post 271 (Sumalka Fernando 42) against Moratuwa SC at Welisara. By stumps Moratuwa SC had replied with 26-2. Off-spinner Chanaka Ruwansiri was amongst the wickets taking 6/49 for Moratuwa SC.

Umayanga Suwaris’ stubborn innings of 86 off 156 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes) saw Sebastianites end the first day on 258-9 against Kandy Customs SC at Salawa Army ground, Kosgama.

All matches continue on their second day today.

[ST]