Tier B 3-Day League pace setters SSC on sound footing

Saturday, 10 January 2026 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Second-placed Moratuwa SC suffer a first day washout

Ashan Randika’s 120 helped Kandy Customs SC to 300

Army SC’s Shehada Zoysa contributed to Galle CC’s collapse with five wickets

Half-centuries from skipper Avishka Fernando (74 off 110 balls, 6 fours, 3 sixes) and Nipun Dananjaya (89* off 170 balls, 1 four) saw SSC to a total of 272-5 against Colombo Malay CC in their Tier B 3-Day League match begun at SLDCC Grounds, Kirimandala yesterday.

Second-placed Moratuwa SC meanwhile suffered a first day washout with not a ball being bowled in their contest against United Southern SC at Saliyapura Army Grounds, Anuradhapura.

Keshan Wanniarachchi (55 off 135 balls, 3 fours) and Umesh Lakshan (63 off 89 balls, 10 fours) shared a partnership of 112 for the third wicket in Negombo CC’s first innings of 257-7 against Leo CC at the Air Force Grounds, Katunayake. Left-arm spinner Mangala Pradeep took four of the wickets, conceding 88 runs.

Army SC did well to dismiss Galle CC for 194, but found themselves in some kind of trouble at 70-4 by the close at the Moors SC Grounds. Galle CC got off to a sound start, with openers Ramesh Nimantha (62 off 78 balls, 7 fours) and skipper Amith Eranda (56 off 51 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes) contributing a stand of 106 at a run-a-ball. However, Galle CC could not capitalise on that partnership and lost nine wickets for 55 runs in a sensational collapse triggered by off-spinner Shehada Zoysa (5/63).

Sebastianites had their match against Navy SC under control at Bloomfield Grounds. Navy SC threw away a good start given by their top order to be all out for 255 after being 198-3 at one stage. Lakshan Rodrigo (65 off 49 balls, 13 fours) and Thevindu Dickwella (42 off 43 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) added 111 for the second wicket off 89 balls, followed by an 81-run stand by Waruna Mayantha (64 off 90 balls, 6 fours, 4 sixes) and Sumalka Fernando (65 off 128 balls, 12 fours), but the rest of the batting was consumed by spinners Miranga Wickramage (4/78) and Hashan Sandeepa (4/57). By stumps, Sebastianites were 61 without loss.

Ashan Randika scored 120 off 182 balls (13 fours, 2 sixes) and put together a stand of 145 with Dilan Jayalath (71 off 130 balls, 6 fours) for Kandy Customs SC to end the first day on 300-all out against Ragama CC at Salawa Army Grounds, Kosgama.

All the matches will continue on their second day today. – [ST]