SSC storm back from first innings blip to record sixth outright win

Army SC’s joy of gaining a first innings lead of 48 over SSC was short lived when the table toppers came storming back in the second innings with all guns blazing to pull off a seven-wicket win and thereby register their sixth outright victory out of seven matches in the Tier B 3-Day League game concluded at SLLDC Grounds, Kirimandala yesterday.

Army SC’s last two wickets added only five runs to their overnight total to be all out for 127, leaving SSC with 176 to get for an outright win, which they did with ease. Shevon Daniel (57 off 95 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes) and Nipun Dananjaya (77* off 127 balls, 5 fours) shared a second wicket stand of 104 to get them there quite comfortably. The destruction of Army SC’s second innings was caused by Test bowlers Kasun Rajitha (5/27) and Prabath Jayasuriya (4/62).

Colombo Malay CC’s dogged performance with the bat in the second innings failed to stop Kandy Customs SC from registering a nine-wicket win at the BRC Grounds. 

Forced to follow-on 253 runs in arrears, Malay CC came up with some sturdy batting, with contributions of 95 off 192 balls (7 fours, 1 six) from Pulasthi Athapaththu, 55 off 85 balls (6 fours) from Kavisha Dulanjana, and 45 and 42, respectively, from Chanaka Devinda and Teron Baskaran, to score 329. All-rounder Mithun Jayawickrama, bowling off-breaks, took 5/121 off 50.2 overs for match figures of 9/169. Kandy Customs SC reached the required target of 77 for the loss of one wicket.

Ragama CC put up staunch resistance to take vital first innings points against Navy SC at Salawa Army Grounds, Kosgama. 

Having conceded a first innings lead of 194 by being bowled out for 77, Navy SC came up with a much-improved batting display the second time around, scoring 332 with fifties from Thevindu Dickwella (85 off 135 balls, 9 fours, 1 six), skipper Ishan Abeysekara (68 off 99 balls, 9 fours), and Poorna Charuka (57 off 109 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes). Left with a target of 139 to chase for an outright win, Ragama CC found themselves defending to save the match at 75-7. Left-arm spinner Dilanka Auwardt caused strife in the Ragama CC ranks, taking 4/22. Spinners Koshan Jayawickrama and Upul Indrasiri shared eight Navy SC wickets between them in the second innings.

Sebastianites also hung onto dear life in their match against United Southern SC, which ended in a draw at the Panadura esplanade. 

United Southern SC had to be satisfied with first innings points only as Sebastianites’ last pair played out 20 balls adding one run in their second innings of 138-9 in pursuit of 250. Himal Ravihansa, 17-year-old leg-spinner from St. Joseph Vaz, Wennappuwa, caused much anxiety in the Sebastianites batting, capturing 4/34. United Southern SC in their second innings were dismissed for 168, with Adithya Siriwardhana (55 off 81 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) and Pesandu Sanjan (50 off 57 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) contributing 105 to the total. Left-arm spinner Miranga Wickramage finished with figures of 6/49.

Moratuwa SC got the better of Negombo CC in their match played at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa. 

Moratuwa SC did not have sufficient time on their hands to pull off an outright win. Chasing a target of 177, they ended up scoring 102-3, with Rashmika Mevan contributing 53* off 63 balls (5 fours, 1 six). Negombo CC’s batting in the second innings showed much resilience, scoring 365-8 declared. Umesh Lakshan (120 off 211 balls, 9 fours) and Pasindu Thirimadura (86 off 143 balls, 7 fours) led the revival with a third wicket stand of 171. Left-arm spinner Gayan Sirisoma with 4/98 (match bag of 8/138) did the honours for Moratuwa SC.

Leo CC had to thank their last pair Vishwa Rajapakse (50* off 106 balls, 1 four, 2 sixes) and skipper Malshan Gunasinghe (23* off 47 balls, 4 fours) for helping them gain a first innings win against Galle CC at Welisara. 

Replying to Galle CC’s first innings of 314, Leo CC lost nine wickets for 282, when Rajapakse and Gunasinghe came together in a face-saving stand of 48* off 93 balls. Pressing for an outright win, Galle CC declared at 229-7 (Lisula Lakshan 55*, Mangala Pradeep 4/79) to leave Leo CC with a target of 214 to chase. Leo CC lost seven wickets for 79, but Rajapakse bailed them out again with an unbeaten 31 off 80 balls as they finished on 136-8. Left-arm spinner Chathura Randunu took six of those wickets for 63 runs. – [ST]