Under23 Inter-Club 2-day tournament Bowlers hold sway on opening day

Kandy Customs SC’s Tenusha Nimsara (4/19) against Police SC, Moors SC’s Sandaru Malshan (5/59) spun out Bloomfield for 209, Tharuksha Ashel 5/28 for BRC against Colts, Himaru Deshan took 5/73 for Tamil Union against NCC, Senuka Dangamuwa – 5/130 for United Southern SC

On a day when bowlers held sway, Hasitha Suranga’s knock of 95 for Galle CC against Moratuwa SC at the Moratuwa Stadium stood as the highest individual score in the Under23 Inter-Club 2-day tournament matches that commenced yesterday.

Suranga’s innings scored off 136 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes) helped Galle CC to a total of 240. Moratuwa SC’s opening bowler Prabash Nirwan took 5/52. By stumps Moratuwa SC had replied strongly with 101-2 to trail by 139 runs with eight wickets in hand.

Left-arm spinner Tenusha Nimsara took 4/19 off 11.2 overs to dismiss Police SC for 140 at Police Park. By the close Kandy Customs SC had already gained first innings points scoring 145-3 with opener Helith Edirisinghe contributing with a half-century (51 off 75 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes).   

Fifties from Aveesha Samash (73 off 99 balls, 8 fours), skipper Hiruna Gallage (66 off 100 balls, 6 fours) and Enosh Peterson (83 off 158 balls, 7 fours) enabled Badureliya CC to run up the highest total for the day – 310-6 against United Southern SC at Salawa Army grounds, Kosgama. Former Mahinda College, Galle right-arm leg-spinner Senuka Dangamuwa five of the wickets conceding 130 runs off 39 overs.

Bloomfield and Moors SC were involved in a close tussle for first innings points at Moors grounds. After outstanding young off-spinner Sandaru Malshan had taken 5/59 to dismiss Bloomfield for 209, Moors SC in reply lost three wickets for 98 by the close to trail by 111 runs with seven wickets in hand. Malshan distinguished himself as an exceptional spinner by taking all ten wickets in an innings for two runs representing Devapathiraja College, Rathgama.

Havelock Park neighbours Colts and BRC were also fighting hard to gain first innings points at the BRC grounds. Colts shot out for 126 by spinners Tharuksha Ashel (5/28) and Sithuka Gunawardena (4/59) fought back strongly to capture seven BRC wickets for 104 by the close. BRC requires a further 23 runs to gain the first innings lead, while Colts need three wickets.

Negombo CC came up with a strong batting performance to end the first day on 291-9 against SSC at Air Force grounds, Katunayake. Opener Vishal Rukshan contributed 73 off 101 balls (10 fours, 1 six) at the top of the order sharing a 104-run stand with Thathsara Eshan (40) and, Shafni Deen, formerly from Loyola College, Kochchikade, a crucial 66 off 135 balls (7 fours, 1 six) batting at number eight.

NCC and Tamil Union were also locked in a battle for first innings points at the P Sara Oval. Vihas Thewmika (4/85) and Himaru Deshan (5/73) spun NCC out for 229 and by stumps Tamil Union closed on 62-1 to trail by 167 runs. Shaveen Perera top scored for NCC with 53 (126 balls, 2 fours).

Ashan Sudarshana (56 off 74 balls, 5 fours, 2 sixes) and Dimantha Arusha (69 off 63 balls, 11 fours) struck fifties apiece to help Army SC total 263 against Kurunegala SC who finished the day on 37-1 at Army grounds, Panagoda.

A 125-run stand between Sumalka Fernando (83 off 201 balls, 7 fours) and Yuneth Seneviratne (67 off 132 balls, 8 fours) and a rapid half-century off 42 balls (4 fours, 3 sixes) from opener Uvindu Perera saw Navy SC end the day 249 all out against Kurunegala YCC at Welisara. All the matches will continue on the second day today. – [ST]