SSC into Premier limited over finals

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Fuelled by the home advantage, SSC produced a spectacular all round effort to spoil what has been NCC’s baby thus far with a comprehensive seven wicket win to book its berth in the Premier limited over finals for the second time in a succession.

It was a comprehensive victory for the hosts who were beaten by the same opponent year ago to win the coveted limited over title, as NCC failed to repeat their commanding performance in the league stage in the do-or-die fixture. Their famed batting quartet of Jehan Mubarak, Niroshan Dickwella, Chamara Kapugedara and Angelo Perera failed with the bat as wicket fell at regular intervals on a surface that has little for the bowlers.

Part-time spinner Dhanushka Gunathilleke was the destroyer claiming his career-best figures against a team that was tipped to win the title for the second time in a row. His five for 28 could not have come at a better time than this as he tamed the famed batting line up like rats chased by a cat.

NCC got off to a flyer scoring runs freely in the first eight overs, making 52 for no loss but national discard Dilhara Fernando broke the threatening partnership in his 4th over of the day, a loss that NCC never overcame.

Promising opener Niroshan Dickwella top-scored with 34 and there were decent batting performances by the middle order as they scored 222 runs for the loss of nine wickets.

SSC had the worst possible start losing opener Harith Maduwantha for a duck in the fourth ball of the innings and Bhanuka Rajapaksa for 10 in the third over but since then SSC took firm control of the chase. After Gunathileke retired hurt making a useful 24 runs, skipper Thilina Kandamby and Kaushal Silva took the bowlers to the sword sharing a match winning 205 runs for the third wicket. Silva scored a swashbuckling unbeaten 103 off 113 balls with nine boundaries and a six while skipper made 75 off 87 balls before running himself out just four runs short of the target.

Out of the seven bowlers used only Chaminda Vidanapathirana had some success with two wickets early in the chase but was as expensive as the rest.

SSC will now meet the winner of today’s semi-final between Ragama CC and  Colts in the finals.

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