Lankan CC recorded a morale-boosting first innings victory over Tamil Union CAC in their encounter which concluded at the CCC ground in Colombo today (18th February).
The club, which was newly promoted to Tier A cricket, secured first innings points in nerve wracking fashion, as a star-sttudded Tamil Union unit fell short of Lankan CC’s first innings total of 271 by just two runs.
Read: Geeth Kumara’s late strikes leave game in balance
Resuming day three on 250/9, Tamil Union’s last pair, Maduka Liyanapathirana and Kasun Madushanka, crawled their way up to 269 before the latter was trapped in front for 3 runs by leg spinner Geeth Kumara, causing the Lankan CC players to erupt in joy.
Liyanapathirana fought a lone battle for Tamil Union as he remained unbeaten on 39* off 77 balls. Kumara ended with top figures of 4/30 while he picked up four of the last five wickets to fall in the Tamil Union innings.
Lankan CC got some good batting practice in their second innings as they reached 224/4, just before the players shook hands to signal the end of the game.
Photos: Lankan Cricket Club Team Previews 2019/20
Kumara, who was the star with both bat and ball in the first innings of the game, capped off a memorable match with another unbeaten 70* to follow up his first innings half century.
Risith Upamal also made another half century to continue his good form, while Jeevan Mendis toiled hard to capture two wickets for Tamil Union.
Lankan Cricket Club – 271 (93.2) Primosh Perera 64, Geeth Kumara 69, Chanaka Ruwansiri 43, Damitha Silva 26, Keshan Wijerathne 25, Suranga Lakmal 4/50, Jeewan Mendis 4/91 & 224/4 (64) Geeth Kumara 70*, Risith Upamal 59*, Primosh Perera 29, Kasun Aberathne 28, Chanaka Ruwansiri 23, Jeevan Mendis 2/63
Tamil Union Cricket And Athletic Club – 269 (92.5) Tharanga Paranavitana 92, Yohan Mendis 48, Maduka Liyanapathiranage 39*, Manoj Sarathchandra 25, Geeth Kumara 4/30, Sahan Nanayakkare 2/76
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