Five group stage matches of Tier A – SLC Major League tournament commenced today, 21st February 2020. These matches included two encounters from Group A and three encounters form group B which were played at Colombo, Katunayake and Maggona. The left-hander Thikshila De Silva and right-hander Manoj Sarathchandra managed to score centuries for their respective clubs.
Tamil Union Cricket Club vs Ragama Cricket Club
The Group B encounter between Tamil Union Cricket and Ragama Cricket Club commenced today at NCC Grounds in Colombo. After winning the toss, the Tamil Union skipper Tharanga Paranavithana chose to bat first and posted 369 runs for 6 wickets at the close of play on day one.
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The wicket-keeper and batsman Manoj Sarathchandra who made 158 against Chilaw Marians a few days ago, stroked another century today while Ranmith Jayasena and Kithruwan Vithanage also chipped in with half-tons. Sarathchandra made 113 runs off 156 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes at a strike rate of 72.43.
The right-arm seamer Ishan Jayarathne and off-spinner Kalhara Senarathne starred with the ball picking up 2 wickets each for Ragama Cricket Club.
Brief Scores
Tamil Union Cricket Club – 369/6 (90) Manoj Sarathchandra 113, Ranmith Jayasena 81*, Kithruwan Vithanage 77, Tharanga Paranavitana 35, Maduka Liyanapathiranage 21*, Ishan Jayaratne 2/72, Kalhara Senarathne 2/102
Stumps – Day 1
Chilaw Marians Cricket Club vs Badureliya Cricket Club
The Group B encounter between Chilaw Marians Cricket Club and Badureliya Cricket Club commenced today at Marians Cricket Grounds in Katunayake. After winning the toss, the Chilaw Marians skipper Oshada Fernando opted to bat first and posted 206 runs in 51.5 overs.
The left-handed stroke maker Thikshila De Silva stroked an unbeaten century for the hosts. The right-arm seamer Lahiru Samarakoon was the pick of the bowlers for the visitors as he picked up a 5-wicket haul for 86 runs. The visitors replied strongly with the bat putting 128 runs for 2 wickets at the close of play on day one.
The right-handed stroke maker Yashoda Lanka stroked a fine half-century while the right arm speedster Asitha Fernando starred with the ball taking 2 wickets for 65 runs.
Brief Scores
Chilaw Marians Cricket Club – 206 (51.5) Thikshila De Silva 119*, Oshada Fernando 24, Lahiru Samarakoon 5/86, T M Sampath 2/58, Buddika Sanjeewa 2/55
Badureliya Cricket Club – 128/2 (34) Yashoda Lanka 51, Asitha Fernando 2/65
Stumps – Day 1
Lankan Cricket Club vs Saracens Sports Club
The Group B encounter between Lankan Cricket Club and Saracens Sports Club commenced today at Maggona. After being put in to bat first by the Saracens skipper Ashen Bandara, Lankan Cricket Club managed to put 229 runs on the board with Malinga Amarasinghe being the top scorer with 76 runs off 85 balls.
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The left-arm leg spinner Chamikara Edirisinghe was the pick of the bowlers with 4 scalps to his name. In addition, the left-arm seamer Mohomed Dilshad grabbed 3 wickets for 65 runs. In reply, Saracens made 28 for no wicket at stumps on day one.
Brief Scores
Lankan Cricket Club – 229 (73) Malinga Amarasinghe 76, Kasun Abeyrathne 33, Geeth Kumara 27, Damitha Silva 27, Sawan Kankanange 25, Chamikara Edirisinghe 4/61, Mohomed Dilshad 3/65, Saliya Saman 2/42
Saracens Sports Club – 28/0 (3.5) Sithara Gimhan 27*
Stumps – Day 1
Colts Cricket Club vs Moors Sports Club
The Group A encounter between Colts Cricket Club and Moors Sports Club commenced today at Moors Grounds in Colombo. After winning the toss, the Colts skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama decided to bat first and posted 214 runs in 71.3 overs. Heshan Dhanushka (49) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (37) were the chief contributors with the bat for the visitors.
The left-arm leg spinner Chathura Randunu starred with the ball taking 4 scalps for just 30 runs. In reply, the hosts made 43 runs for 2 wickets at the close of play on day one.
Brief Scores
Colts Cricket Club – 214 (71.3) Heshan Dhanushka 49, Sadeera Samarawickrama 37, Santhush Gunathilaka 34, Priyamal Perera 27, Vishad De Silva 24, Chathura Randunu 4/30
Moors Sports Club – 43/2 (18)
Stumps – Day 1
Colombo Cricket Club vs Negombo Cricket Club
The Group A encounter between Colombo Cricket Club and Negombo Cricket Club commenced today at BRC Grounds in Colombo. After winning the toss, the CCC skipper Ashan Priyanjan opted to bat first but the decision backfired as they were bundled out for just 142 runs in 43 overs.
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Lasith Abeyrathne who made 59 runs off 97 balls was the only standout batsman for the defending champions. Roshen Fernando, Dilshan Munaweera and Sahan Appuhami starred with the ball in a collective effort. In reply, Negombo batsmen also failed with the bat as they were bowled out for 141 runs in 35.5 overs.
The skipper Ashan Priyanjan who bowls a useful off-spin, bowled extremely well taking 6 scalps for 24 runs while the veteran left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara picked up the remaining 4 wickets for 58 runs. The CCC batsmen began their second innings with a 1-run lead and finished day one on 26 for no wicket.
Brief Scores
Colombo Cricket Club – 142 (43) Lasith Abeyratne 59, Malinda Pushpakumara 35, Roshen Fernando 3/22, Dilshan Munaweera 2/23, Sahan Appuhami 2/25 & 26/0 (7)
Negombo Cricket Club – 141 (35.5) Pasindu Lakshanka 43, Ashan Priyanjan 6/24, Malinda Pushpakumara 4/58
Stumps – Day 1
