Mahela, Chamara, Dilshan steer MAS Unichela
View(s):Mahela Udawatte along with skipper Chamara Silva and T.M. Dilshan put in sterling performances for MAS Unichela and helped them record a massive 195 runs win over DIMO in the semi-final of the Mercantile Premier Limited Overs encounter played at De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa.
Udawatte cracked a quick fire 134 in 127 balls that included 14 boundaries and two sixes while skipper Silva made a 71 with nine boundaries and a six and Dilshan chipped in with a 52 which had seven boundaries.
Udawatte was involved in two fruitful partnerships — for the third wicket 124 runs with Dilshan and then a 127-run stand for the fourth wicket with his skipper helping them post a mammoth score of 349 for 6 in 50 overs.
DIMO left with a daunting run chase of 350 runs was not going anywhere near the target as they lost wickets at regular intervals as the spin trio Dilruwan Perera, T.M. Dilshan and Malinga Bandara combined to bundle them out for a score of 154.
In contrast the other semi-final between Commercial Credit and John Keells played at the FTZ ground in Katunayake was a closely contested game. The proceedings began with Commercial Credit skipper Upul Tharanga winning the toss and taking first lease of the wicket and ending their innings with a modest score of 254 with Ashan Priyanjan and skipper Tharanga making half tons.
John Keells in pursuit of 255 runs was making steady progress and despite a knock of 71 from Bhanuka Rajapakse and two useful knocks coming from Manoj Sarathchandra and Janaka Gunaratne they were restricted by the bowling trio Shehan Jayasuriya, Chathuranga de Silva and Suraj Randiv to a score of 224 runs.
Mercantile Cricket Semi-Finals
Results:
At Moratuwa – MAS Unichela won by 195 runs
MAS Unichela 349 for 6 in 50 overs (Mahela Udawatte 134, Chamara Silva 71, T.M. Dilshan 52)
DIMO 154 in 29.2 overs (Nisala Tharaka 35, Pulina Tharanga 35, Nipun Karunanayake 21: Dilruwan Perera 3 for 24, T.M. Dilshan 3 for 35, Malinga Bandara 2 for 23)
At FTZ Katunayake: Com. Credit won by 30 runs
Commercial Credit 254 in 48.3 overs (Ashan Priyanjan 61, Upul Tharanga 52, Dilhan Cooray 33, Imesh Udayanga 31, Chathuranga de Silva 27: Ishan Jayaratne 4 for 60, Vikum Bandara 2 for 38, Maduka Liyanapathiranage 2 for 44)
John Keells 224 in 45.4 overs (Bhanuka Rajapakse 71, Manoj Sarathchandra 42, Janaka Gunaratne 37: Shehan Jayasuriya 2 for 40, Chathuranga de Silva 2 for 40, Suraj Randiv 2 for 43)