Milantha ‘ton’ beats the rain
The start of Sri Lankas first class season for the 2015/16 season was given a wet welcome as six of the AIA Premier League Tournament matches could not get make much headway on the second day yesterday. Only five of the six matches were able to get a start on Friday, the first day of the three-day encounters, with one being totally abandoned. The games are heading for obvious draws with a day to go.
Ragama CC opener Lahiru Milantha took the honour of striking the first century of the season with a fluent knock of 144 against Moors SC at Braybrooke Place. With much of play halted due to a wet outfield, Ragama CC ended the second day at 230-6 while Moors are yet to take the crease. Milantha remained unbeaten on 22, from his team’s total of 23 for no loss overnight after play was limited for 8.4 overs on Friday. Milantha went on to build up the innings gradually as he went on to eclipse his personal best of 116 after facing 162 deliveries and hitting 13 fours and six sixes. He was dismissed as the fifth wicket at 211 after a marathon knock of 144. By the time of stumps Eranga Rathnayake remained unbeaten on 36 while left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara bagged four scalps.
The progress was sluggish in the match between Army SC and Badureliya SC at Panagoda with a total of 56 overs being able to consume on both days. The Soldiers were 196-4 after electing to bat as overnight batsman Asela Gunaratne remained for the second day running at 78 not out. Gunaratne faced 129 deliveries and hit six boundaries and a six. Gunaratne had just made four runs when the game was active for 18 overs and Shalika Karunanayake was well set for a big knock at unbeaten on 29.
arunanayake was in perfect shape after just taking 22 deliveries and hitting three fours and two sixes for his 29 but he was able to add 32 more runs to his overnight score. Karunanayake’s quick knock of 61 came off 50 deliveries inclusive of five fours and four sixes. Left arm spinner Dulanjana Mendis took two scalps while Badureliya SC are still to take the crease.
Only 10.3 overs of play was possible between Saracens and Sri Lanka Ports Authority at De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa. Saracens, resumed from their overnight total of 14-1 added 30 runs during active time of play which started off after tea yesterday.
Stumps were drawn for the second day of the match between Colts and Bloomfield at Reid Avenue after a wet outfield prevented any play. The match is at its score from the first day of 24-2 posted by Colts after being put into bat. The outcome of the match between traditional rivals NCC and SSC was the same as play was abandoned for the second day on first day’s scores. NCC posted 7 for no loss on Friday after being invited to take the first lease of the wicket. CCC and Tamil Union are yet to test out their skills after play could not take any headway at Maitland Crescent. The first day was washed off, halting the start of the game even at lunch time on the second day.
At Braybrooke place:
Ragama CC (Overnight 23-0) 230 for 6 wickets in 60 overs at stumps (Lahiru Milantha 144, Eranga Rathnayake 36n.o, Malinda Pushpakumara 4 for 82) vs Moors SC
At Panagoda:
Army SC (Overnight 63-3) 196 for 4 wickets in 56 overs (Shalika Karunanayake 61, Asela Gunaratne 78n.o, Sanjika Ridma 26n.o, Dulanjana Mendis 2 for 41) vs Badureliya SC
At Moratuwa:
Saracens (14-1 overnight) 44 for 1 wicket in 15.1 overs (Sangeeth Cooray 29n.o, Kanishka Amarasinghe 13n.o.) vs SLPA
At Bloomfield: No play on Day 2
Colts 24 for 2 wickets in 6 overs (Shehan Fernando 15) vs Bloomfield
At NCC: No play on Day 2
NCC 7 for no loss in 2.4 overs vs SSC
At CCC: No play
CCC vs Tamil Union