Tier B 3-day League High scoring and first innings decisions feature opening day

Saturday, 17 January 2026 00:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ragama CC’s Tharusha Kodikara (5/40) and Upul Indrasiri (4/8) ran through Navy SC’s batting

Kandy Customs SC’s

captain Malindu Maduranga missed out on a double ton by 4 runs

Kavindu Ediriweera led United Southern SC’s recovery with 129*

High scoring featured three of the six matches while two of them saw teams grabbing a first innings lead at the end of the first day of the Tier B 3-day league yesterday.

On top of the pile was Kandy Customs SC who went on a run spree against Colombo Malays CC at the BRC grounds piling up a massive 414-9 declared. A feature of their batting was the brilliant knock of 196 off 172 balls (20 fours, 7 sixes) by the captain Malindu Maduranga who featured in two noteworthy partnerships of 93 off 96 balls for the first wicket with Ashan Randika (27) and 179 off 168 balls for the third with Avindu Theekshana (71 off 94 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes). Dilan Jayalath chipped in with 63* off 85 balls (2 fours, 3 sixes) as Kandy Customs SC raced past the 400-run mark with ease. Left-arm spinner Sudara Dakshina took 4/94. Colombo Malays CC replied with 15 without loss by stumps.

At the Panadura esplanade, United Southern SC fought back from losing their first four wickets for 47 to end the day in a happier frame of mind at 328-9 against Sebastianites. The recovery was brought about by Kavindu Ediriweera (129* off 252 balls, 14 fours, 1 six) and skipper Denuwan Rajakaruna (83 off 80 balls, 8 fours, 4 sixes) who added 101 for the seventh wicket.

Leo CC did well to dismiss Galle CC for 314 at Welisara. Galle CC were well placed at 210-3 to reach an imposing total, but lost their way losing the last seven wickets for 104. Ramesh Nimantha (99 off 202 balls, 10 fours) and Subhanu Rajapaksa (51 off 60 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes) shored up the top order only to see their good work become undone. Spinners Mangala Pradeep and Malshan Gunasinghe shared eight wickets between them. Leo CC were 11 without loss at the close.

Moratuwa SC and Ragama CC have already taken a first innings lead in their respective matches. Moratuwa SC rolled over Negombo CC for 120 at the De Soysa Stadium, and by stumps had replied with 127-2. Left-arm spinners Gayan Sirisoma (4/40) and Methushan Thilina (3/19) accounted for the wickets.

Ragama CC’s left-arm pace cum spin combination of Tharusha Kodikara (5/40) and Upul Indrasiri (4/8) shot out Navy SC for 77 at Salawa Army grounds, Kosagama. By the close Ragama CC had replied with 129-3 courtesy fifties from Sahil Dias (51* off 122 balls, 6 fours) and Ranmith Jayasena (54 off 69 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) who shared a stand of 90.

Table leaders SSC came back strongly to grab six Army SC wickets for 43 runs to dismiss them for 233 at the SLLDC grounds, Kirimandala. At one point Army SC were well placed at 190-4 with Chrisen Aponsu contributing 75 off 132 balls (5 fours), but SSC’s varied attack with Kasun Rajitha (3/58) and Nipun Dananjaya (3/31) kneaded into their batting. By stumps SSC scored 67-1 to trail by 166.

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