Five group stage matches of Tier A of SLC Major League tournament commenced today at Colombo, Katunayake and Maggona. Three encounters from Group A and two encounters from Group B were played. The right-arm seamer Kasun Rajitha of Saracens SC bowled an excellent spell, taking 8 wickets for 31 runs. Sahan Arachchige shone with the bat for NCC, scoring a brilliant century.
Sarathchandra & Shanaka hit centuries; Chilaw & CCC register wins
Army Cricket Club vs Negombo Cricket Club
The Group A encounter between Army Cricket Club and Negombo Cricket Club commenced today at Moors Grounds in Colombo. After winning the toss, the Army skipper chose to bat first but only managed to post 155 runs on the board, with Himasha Liyanage being the top scorer with 56 runs.
The 37-year old left-arm spinner Upul Indrasiri was the pick of the bowlers for Negombo CC as he picked up 3 scalps for 73 runs. In reply, the Negombo batsmen showed a better batting display, putting 164 runs for 2 wickets at the close of play on day one. Ashen Silva and Angelo Jayasinghe remained unbeaten with half-tons to their names.
Brief Scores
Army Cricket Club – 155 (42.1) Himasha Liyanage 56, Upul Indrasiri 3/73, Saad Nasim 2/04, Dilshan Munaweera 2/29
Negombo Cricket Club – 164/2 (42.2) Ashen Silva 61*, Angelo Jayasinghe 51*, Dilshan Munaweera 40
Stumps – Day 1
Moors Sports Club vs Burgher Recreation Club
The Group A encounter between Moors Sports Club and Burgher Recreation Club commenced today at BRC Grounds in Colombo. After winning the toss, the Moors skipper opted to bat first and posted 353 runs in 77.3 overs. Sachithra Serasinghe (94), Pabasara Waduge (76) and Adeesha Thilanchana (64) chipped in with half-tons.
The left-arm spinner Duvindu Tillakaratne was the pick of the bowlers, as he took 3 scalps for 103 runs. In addition to this, leg spinner Kevin Koththigoda and off spinner Tharindu Kaushal picked up 2 wickets each for BRC. In reply, the hosts were 23 for 1 at the close of play on day one.
Brief Scores
Moors Sports Club – 353 (77.3) Sachithra Serasinghe 94, Pabasara Waduge 76, Adeesha Thilanchana 64, Praveen Jayawickrama 30*, Chathura Randunu 20, Duvindu Tillakaratne 3/103, Kevin Koththigoda 2/34, Tharindu Kaushal 2/58, Sohaibullah 2/66
Burgher Recreation Club – 23/1 (10)
Stumps – Day 1
Sandun Weerakkody & Vishad Randika stroke tons; Suranga Lakmal takes 5-fer
Sinhalese Sports Club vs Colombo Colts Cricket Club
The Group A encounter between Sinhalese Sports Club and Colts Cricket Club commenced today at Colts Grounds in Colombo. After winning the toss, the SSC skipper decided to bat first and put 301 runs on the board, with Sandun Weerakkody (55) and Krishan Sanjula (54) contributing with half-tons.
The left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya excelled with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 89 runs for the hosts. As a result, the hosts were in some trouble, losing 2 quick wickets for 14 runs at stumps on day one. The off spinner Sachithra Senanayake who just announced his retirement from international cricket, picked up both the wickets fell in Colts innings.
Brief Scores
Sinhalese Sports Club – 301 (76) Sandun Weerakkody 55, Krishan Sanjula 54, Sammu Ashan 41, Sachithra Senanayake 39, Kavindu Kulasekara 36, Charith Asalanka 32, Prabath Jayasuriya 5/89, Dhananjaya Lakshan 2/49
Colombo Colts Cricket Club – 14/2 (6) Sachithra Senanayake 2/04
Stumps – Day 1
Saracens Sports Club vs Ragama Cricket Club
The Group B encounter between Saracens Sports Club and Ragama Cricket Club commenced today at Maggona. After being put into bat first, the Ragama batsmen were bowled out for just 119 runs thanks to the brilliant bowling performance of right-arm seamer Kasun Rajitha, who picked up 8 wickets for just 31 runs.
In reply, Saracens showed a better batting display, posting 134 runs for 1 wicket at the close of play on day one. Sithara Gimhan and Navindu Vithanage starred with the bat, scoring half-tons.
Brief Scores
Ragama Cricket Club – 119 (53) Lahiru Thirimanne 28, Kasun Rajitha 8/31
Saracens Sports Club – 134/1 (37) Sithara Gimhan 74, Navindu Vithanage 52*
Stumps – Day 1
Pathum Nissanka, Dilshan Munaweera & Minod Bhanuka stroke tons
Nondescripts Cricket Club vs Chilaw Marians Cricket Club
The Group B encounter between Nondescripts Cricket Club and Chilaw Marians Cricket Club commenced today at Katunayake. After winning the toss, the NCC skipper chose to bat first and put on 312 runs on the board, with left-hander Sahan Arachchige scoring a brilliant century for the visitors.
In addition to that, Chamika Gunasekara (50) and Chathuranga De Silva (47) did well with the bat for NCC. The right-arm speedster Asitha Fernando was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts as he picked up a 5-wicket haul for 46 runs.
Brief Scores
Nondescripts Cricket Club – 312 (79) Sahan Arachchige 128, Chamika Gunasekara 50, Chathuranga De Silva 47, Asitha Fernando 5/46, Nimsara Atharagalla 2/58, Shehan Jayasuriya 2/90
Chilaw Marians Cricket Club – 35/1 (7)
Stumps – Day 1
