CCC makes valiant fight back

Defending champions CCC made a valiant show, chasing Tamil Union’s massive first innings score, when bad light stopped play on day three in the final of the Major Club Cricket Tournament at the SSC ground yesterday. At stumps, CCC were 411 for 5 with Kamindu Mendis (105), Minod Bhanuka (75), Lasith Abeyratne (48), skipper Ashan Priyanjan (52n.o.) and Chamindu Wijesinghe (71n.o.) frustrating the bowlers with some excellent performances with the bat.

This was in reply to Tamil Union’s first innings total of 558, which came on the back of a swashbuckling 188 by skipper Sadeera Samarawickama. CCC, despite losing their first wicket at eight and the second at 80, was revived by an 83-run stand for the second wicket between Minod Bhanuka and Kamindu Mendis.

After Bhanuka departed for a well-made half century, Lasith Abeyratne and Mendis added further 108 runs for the fourth wicket. Mendis’ innings had 16 boundaries. Abeyratne did not last long as he departed when the total was on 288. However, Ashan Priyanjan, along with Chamindu Wijesinghe, then combined to send the bowlers on a leather hunt. The pair associated in an unfinished 123-run stand for the sixth wicket at stumps.

With the match heading towards a draw, CCC will look to bat on to take a first innings win to clinch the third straight title while Tamil Union will desperately look for wickets to lay their hands on the cup. CCC are the defending champions having won the title in 2019, the last time it was played, and in 2018. The match will end today.