Asela Gunaratne's 158 for Army -- the highlight
SSC amassed a mammoth score of 503 but Tamil Union in their turn ended day two making a bold reply in the Premier League Tier ‘A’ inter-club cricket encounter played at P. Sara Stadium. SSC resuming from their overnight score of 375 for 5 ended up making a mammoth score of 503.
However Tamil Union in their turn even though they lost an early wicket was propelled by a 126 runs stand for the second wicket between Dinuk Wickramanayake who remained unbeaten on 81 which included 12 boundaries and Tharanga Paranavithana who chipped in with a 66 with 11 boundaries replied with 171 for 2.
The opening days play saw skipper Dimuth Karunaratne and Dhanushka Gunatilleke slamming tons. Dimuth cracked a 149 which comprised 19 boundaries and Dhanushka hit a 145 ball knock of 117 which had 15 boundaries and a six.
Sri Lanka’s new find Asela Gunaratne who was unbeaten on 146 went on to add a further 12 runs before being dismissed helping Army SC to post a formidable score against BRC on day two helping them to earn a first inning lead in the match played at Panagoda.
Asela’s knock of 158 came off 221 balls. That comprised 19 boundaries and a six. Asela along with Lakshitha Madushan put on a 67 runs stand for the seventh wicket for Army SC to end with a score of 316.
Later Viraj Pushpakumara, Sanjika Ridma and Lakshan Madusanka shared eight wickets to bowl out BRC for a score of 219.
The match between CCC and Saracens SC was poised for an interesting finish when play ended on the second day at the CCC ground. The morning session of play saw CCC’s right arm pace duo Lahiru Gamage and Lahiru Madusanka and the left arm spin duo Lakshan Sandakan and Sachith Pathirana sharing eight wickets between them to wreck the Saracens SC and bundle them out for 173. That was in reply to BRC’s score of 195.
CCC batting the second time despite a knock of 64 made by Wanindu Hasaranga was restricted by the Saracens SC bowling trio of Chathura Randunu, Suraj Randiv and Mohamed Dilshad to a score of 208. Saracens SC set a target of 231 runs for victory ended the day on 25 for 2 needing another 206 runs when play resumes on the final day today.
Chilaw Marians left arm orthodox spinner Malinda Pushpakumara and right arm spinner Maduka Liyanapathiranage shared ten wickets helping them to gain a first inning lead over Badureliya SC in the match played at the FTZ ground in Katunayake.
Malinda ended with impressive figures of 6 for 41 and Maduka 4 for 28 to send (Asela Gunaratne 158, Lakshitha Madushan 67, Kasun de Silva 32, Manjula de Zoysa 25, Janith Silva 18: Vikum Bandara 6 for 73, Dinuka Hettiarachchi 3 for 98)
(Rumesh Buddika 92, Lisula Lakshan 60, Chanaka Wijesinghe 16: Viraj Pushpakumara 4 for 57, Sanjika Ridma 2 for 10, Lakshan Madusanka 2 for 51)
At CCC:
(Sachith Pathirana 59, Wanindu Hasaranga 52, Kusal Mendis 27, Ron Chandragupta 17: Kasun Rajitha 6 for 59, Suraj Randiv 2 for 53) (Wanindu Hasaranga 64, Lasith Abeyratne 34, Ron Chandragupta 15: Chathura Randunu 5 for 66, Suraj Randiv 3 for 33, Badureliya reeling to 113. This was in reply to the Marians score of 235. Chilaw Marians batting the second time ended day two on 196 for 5 with skipper Mahela Udawatte making a 73 which his second half ton of the match.
In the match which between NCC and Bloomfield which got underway yesterday at the NCC ground saw the home team making merry thanks to Niroshan Dickwella and Sandun Weerakkody.
Niroshan who made a quick fire 183 in just 155 balls inclusive of 23 boundaries and a six and Sandun who cracked a 63 ball 64 runs with ten boundaries and a six gave the side a flying start putting on 125 runs.