CMCA 50+ I is ahead of II, in Cricket too

Colombo Masters Cricket Association (CMCA) 50+I scored a close 3-runs victory over CMCA 50+II in a 30-over match played at the Mahinda College grounds, Galle, recently.

With the idea of promoting Cricket among the stalwarts of yesteryear in the outstations, CMCA 50+ travelled down to Galle, for a match between their Team I and Team II.

CMCA 50+ I batting first, struck a solid 210 for 2 wickets in their allotted 30 overs. Newcomer Damien Tissaarachchi scored a brilliant unbeaten 71 off 49 deliveries, with 13 fours. Tissaarachchi was well supported by skipper Dharsha Abeywardene making a solid 53 in 39 balls. R. Ranatunga and Deepal Ahangama were the pick of Team II bowlers, to claim a wicket each, while conceding 30 and 48 runs respectively, in their allotted spells of 6 overs each.

In their run chase of 210, CMCA 50+II lost their 1st wicket, that of skipper Hiran CMCA 50+ Team I 210 for 2 (30 overs) (D. Tissarachchi 71 n.o., D. Abeywardene 53 n.o.; R. Ranatunga 1 for 30, D. Ahangama 1 for 48)

(L. Perera 88, U. Nandana 21; D. Tissarachchi 3 for 31, Lalith De Silva 2 for 34) Fernando, in the 3rd over. At one stage, Team II was struggling with a slow run rate, with only Lasantha Perera standing tall to score a fighting 70. He received good support from U. Nandana who kept his end going, allowing the in-form Perera to go for the runs, while making a steady 21. With the exit of Nandana, wickets started falling at regular intervals but, not without a fight, to end up just 3 runs short at 207. Damien Tissarachchi was outstanding again, this time with the ball, to claim 3 for 31, while Lalith De Silva captured 2 for 34.