Colts and SLPA take day offs with early wins
Colts CC and SLPA CC recorded outright wins with a day to spare in the SLC Under-23 Division I cricket tournament encounters played at Colts and Welisara yesterday. Colts CC outclassed Moratuwa SC by an innings and 75 runs while SLPA CC defeated Navy SC by ten wickets.
Saracens bowler Chanaka Devinda bagged 10 CCC scalps - Pic by Ranjith Perera
The foundation for Colts was laid on day one by spinner Akila Dhananjaya who ended with impressive figures of 6 for 38 to bundle out Moratuwa SC for a low score of 114. Later useful knocks coming from Angelo Jayasinghe, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Avishka Fernando and Priyamal Perera enabled Colts CC to end day one on 192 for 6.
Colts continuing from their overnight score was propelled by Priyamal Perera who was supported by Dhananjaya, with the pair adding a valuable 101 runs for the seventh. Later Priyamal was dismissed for 101. He faced 118 balls and hit seven boundaries and four sixes. Priyamal’s dismissal saw Colts losing their remaining three wickets cheaply but they managed to make a score of 292.
Moratuwa SC batting the second time were left with a task of erasing 177 runs to avoid an innings defeat. They succumbed to Dhananjaya again and failed to recover. At tea break they were struggling on 69 for 7 and lost their last three wickets for 33 runs before being bowled out for 102. Dhananjaya ended with top figures of 5 for 52 which took his match bag to figures of 11 for 90.
An allround performance by Wanindu Hasaranga supported by Harsha Rajapakse and Yohan Shanuka helped SLPA CC to record a comfortable ten wicket win over Navy SC. Wanindu had a successful match as he made 92 and then claimed a five wicket haul before ending the match with a quick-fire 39 off only 15 balls inclusive of two boundaries and four sixes. His contribution enabled SLPA CC to reach the target of 41 runs in just three overs. The opening day’s play saw Navy SC taking first lease of the wicket making 138 with Harsha doing the damage and then batting the second time they fared better to avoid an innings defeat.
Skipper Priyamal Perera’s unbeaten 100 put Colts in a strong position against Moratuwa SC - Pic by Amila Gamage
Rohan Suresh (91) along with Harsha Salgado (91) and Sansaka Fernando (58) helped Panadura SC post 350 for 9 declared against Air Force at Katunayake. Panadura resuming on their overnight score of 328 for 8 declared in the morning session. Air Force SC in their turn ended the second day’s play on 172 for 7.
The match between CCC and Saracens SC played at the CCC ground was evenly balanced when stumps were drawn on day two. CCC after being bundled out for a low score of 91 struck back to skittle out Saracens for a score of 90 runs to take a narrow first innings lead. CCC batting the second time resuming on their overnight score of 57 for no loss went on to make 186. Saracens SC chasing 186 for victory ended the day two on 35 for 3.
The match between Moors SC and Ragama CC at Thursran ground got off to a late start with only 35 overs of play being possible for the day. Ragama CC, resuming on their overnight score of 235 for 7, made 274 and Moors SC facing 22 overs ended the day on 86 for 4.
| At Colts: Colts CC beat Moratuwa SC by an innings and 75 runs Moratuwa SC 114 (Anushka Perera 46: Akila Dhananjaya 6 for 38, Charith Sudaraka 4 for 25) and 102 (Woshantha Silva 24, Hashan Chamara 16: Akila Dhananjaya 5 for 52, Ali Khan 2 for 16, Charith Sudaraka 2 for 17) Colts CC (192/6 overnight) 291 (Angelo Jayasinghe 49, Sadeera Samarawickrama 38, Akila Dhananjaya 38, Avishka Fernando 24, Priyamal Perera 100 n.o.: Thilan Nimesh 4 for 100, Vihanga Kalhara 2 for 42, Malinga de Silva 2 for 98) At Welisara: | |