SSC on a roll as they demolish Negombo CC in two days

Undefeated SSC were on a roll, registering their fourth consecutive win in the ongoing Tier B 3-Day League when they thumped Negombo CC by 10 wickets at the SSC Ground yesterday to ensure a two-day finish to the contest.

Negombo CC’s batsmen had no answer to the left-arm spin of Sri Lanka’s primary bowler Prabath Jayasuriya, who ran through their batting twice for 94 and 187, finishing with a match bag of 13/139 (6/54 and 7/85). Charith Asalanka’s off-breaks proved an ideal foil to Jayasuriya, ending with match figures of 6/51. Opener Kaveen Fernando held the Negombo CC innings together with 71 off 110 balls (11 fours, 1 six), but with his dismissal at 154, the innings folded up quickly in 10 overs. SSC scored 267 and 17-0.

SSC were not alone in winning inside two days as Leo CC also finished their game played at the Air Force Ground, Katunayake, with a seven-wicket win against Army SC. 

Former Kandana De Mazenodian Senash Fernando brought his all-round talent into play in the win. He scored an undefeated 51 off 54 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes), adding 55 off 53 balls for the last wicket with skipper Malshan Gunasinghe (10) to give Leo CC a first innings lead of 61, scoring 233 in reply to Army SC’s 172. Then, the pair with ball in hand, ran through the Air Force SC batting for 171. Fernando took 4/23 with his left-arm spin and Gunasinghe 3/54 bowling off-breaks. Requiring 111 for victory, Leo CC got there losing three wickets, with opener Ayon Fernando contributing a run-a-ball 53 (8 fours).

Moratuwa SC took a stranglehold of their match against Colombo Malay CC at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa, forcing their opponents to follow-on. 

Moratuwa SC hit up 314 in their first innings, with Gavin Boteju (99 off 170 balls, 12 fours, 1 six) and Dinitha Siriwardena (87 off 207 balls, 6 fours) both missing out on hundreds. Tall left-arm spinner Chanaka Devinda was the pick of Malay CC’s bowlers, taking 5/119. Malay CC were put out for 162, falling to the off-spin of Chanaka Ruwansiri (5/52). Following on 152 runs in arrears, Malay CC ended the day at 19-1.

Kandy Customs SC fought tooth and nail for survival against United Southern CC at the Galle Cricket Stadium. 

In reply to United Southern SC’s first innings of 474, Kandy Customs SC ended Day Two on 285-5, to trail by 189 runs with five wickets in hand. Kandy Customs SC’s fight back was led by skipper Malindu Maduranga (64 off 87 balls, 9 fours, 1 six) and by all-round batting contributions. A feature of United Southern CC’s innings was the superb double century (273 off 280 balls, 23 fours, 12 sixes) scored by former Nalanda College cricketer Adeesha Nanayakkara.

Galle CC and Ragama CC gained first innings leads over their rivals. In reply to Galle CC’s first innings of 326, Navy SC were dismissed for 219 at Welisara. 

Off-spinner Rajeewa Weerasinghe was the main destroyer of the Sailors’ innings, claiming 7/85 with his off-spin. Poorna Charuka top-scored for Navy SC with 51 (off 45 balls, 2 fours, 6 sixes). With a healthy first innings lead of 107, Galle CC stretched it to 292 by the close, scoring 185-3 courtesy an opening stand of 172 off 134 balls by Ramesh Nimantha (73 off 68 balls, 10 fours, 1 six) and Captain Amitha Eranda (105* off 74 balls, 8 fours, 6 sixes).

Sebastianites did well to capture the remaining six Ragama CC wickets for 18 runs to concede only a narrow first innings lead of 21 at Bloomfield Grounds. 

Ragama CC, starting the day at 151-4, were bundled out for 169 by left-arm spinner Medunaka Wijayathilaka (5/41). Sebastianites ended the day at 230-9 in their second innings to lead overall by 209 going into the third and final day today. – [ST]