Six tons highlight opening day’s play

SLC Under-23 Emerging Club 2-day tournament

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Six centuries highlighted the opening day of the SLC Under-23 Emerging Club 2-day tournament featuring 11 matches yesterday.

On top of the pile was the double century (208) fifth wicket stand between Darshaka Sandeep (131 off 123 balls, 18 fours, 2 sixes) and skipper Sakuna Liyanage (111 off 156 balls, 10 fours, 2 sixes) that helped Chilaw Marians CC recover from a poor start 44-4 and post the highest total of the day – 379 against Navy SC at Welisara. Left-arm seamer Janith Fernando took 4/76 for Navy SC who ended the day on 12-1 in reply.

Bloomfield Captain Mineth Premarathne carried his bat out for 158 off 215 balls (21 fours) in their total of 318-9 declared against Kandy Customs SC at Bloomfield grounds. Opening bowler Shon Rodrigo (4/51) was the pick of the Kandy Customs SC bowling. When rain brought an early end to play, Kandy Customs SC were not too happily placed at 23-4.

Former Sri Lanka Under-19 opener Pulindu Perera was in excellent form compiling 151 off 240 balls (14 fours, 4 sixes) for Nugegoda SWC who ended the day on 298 against Colombo Malay CC at Kirimandala. Left-arm spinner Kaveesh Sathsara took 5/75.

Skipper Jeewaka Sashin scored 105 off 146 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) and opener Gaviru Senhas (53 off 71 balls, 7 fours) to help NCC declare at 323-9 against Sebastianites at the NCC grounds. By stumps Sebastianites had replied with 51 for no loss to trail by 272 runs. SSC were not too happily placed at 79-5 after dismissing Police SC for 220 at the Police grounds. Former Thurstanite left-arm fast bowler Nipun Premaratne caused the SSC collapse having captured 4/31 so far. Skipper Rashmika Hirushan’s knock of 118 off 152 balls (13 fours, 2 sixes) featured the Police SC.  

Former Isipathana College off-spinner Tharuka Ashel produced the best bowling effort of the day taking 6/63 off 22.5 overs for BRC who bowled out Army SC for 222 at BRC grounds. Half-centuries from Shenel Samaratunga (51 off 28 balls, 6 fours, 3 sixes) and Samith Dilshan (50 off 82 balls, 5 fours) contributed towards the Army SC total. BRC were 51-4 by the close.

Badureliya CC had United Southern SC on the ropes at Army grounds, Dombagoda. Two half-century partnerships from the lower order featuring Shehan Madusanka (61 off 85 balls, 4 fours) – 70 for the eighth wicket with skipper Shanikya Deshapriya (50 off 45 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes) and 55 for the ninth with Manasa Madubashana (15) coupled with Kavishka Imesh’s 57 off 71 balls (9 fours, 1 six) at the top saw Badureliya SC to a respectable total of 253. United Southern SC had lost half their side for 56 by the close. An opening partnership of 139 between Malitha Perera (73 off 109 balls, 7 fours) and Amitha Dabare (77 off 104 balls, 9 fours, 1 six) enabled Moratuwa SC total 293 against Moors SC at Moors grounds. By the close the home team had lost four wickets for 103 and trail by 190 runs.

Colts had already obtained first innings points by dismissing Leo CC for 140 and replying with 154-5 by the close at Colts grounds. Leo CC’s batting collapsed to the left-arm spin of Ryan Dissanayake (5/34) and right-arm seam of Kavisha Liyanaarachchi (3/39). Colts powered by an unbeaten 65 off 117 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes) are already ahead by 14 runs.

CCC were 38 runs away from gaining the vital first innings points from Negombo CC in their match played at the CCC grounds. Negombo CC skipper Kaveen Fernando was dismissed for 99 (151 balls, 10 fours, 3 sixes) out of his side’s total of 181. Spinners Sethru Fernando (4/58) and Inuka Karannagoda (3/27) were the chief destroyers of the Negombo CC innings. For CCC Pawan Sandesh (47 off 73 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) and Captain Anjala Bandara (58* off 85 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) shared a third wicket stand of 93 that saw them end the day on 144-3.

At the Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala YCC recovered from losing six for 84 to score 270 largely through a seventh wicket stand of 121 by Lakvin Abeysinghe (55 off 102 balls, 3 fours) and Vathila Udara (76 off 106 balls, 8 fours). Former Ananda College right-arm fast bowler Ruvishan Perera took 6/65 off 19.5 overs. In reply Galle were 33-2.