Right-arm seam bowlers, Lahiru Madusanka and Lahiru Gamage ripped through the MAS Active batting lineup as Commercial Credit cruised to a convincing 8-wicket win in their 24th Singer-MCA Premier League encounter worked out at Surrey Village grounds in Maggona.
The defending champions, MAS Active filled with many national stars needed a win badly to kick start their campaign after two losses. They were asked to bat first by Commercial Credit skipper Upul Tharanga. The reigning champions lasted only 20.5 overs as Madusanka and Gamage shared 9 wickets to wrap up the innings for just 97 runs.
Madusanka ended with figures of 5 for 31 while Sri Lanka cap Gamage gave away same number of runs for his 4 wickets. Andy Solomons was the only batsman to make a substantial score of 24. Commercial Credit raced to their target of 98 inside 20 overs. Dilhan Cooray fresh from a county-cricket stint in England made 36 while Ashan Priyanjan stroked an unbeaten 36.
MAS Active – 97 all out in 20.5 overs: Andy Solomons 24, Lahiru Gamage 4/31, Lahiru Madusanka 5/31.
Commercial Credit – 98/2 in 19.1 overs: Ashan Priyanjan 36*, Dilhan Cooray 36.
Dimo vs Textured Jersey
In the repeat of last year’s ‘B’ division final, Dimo Lanka took their revenge when they defeated Textured Jersey by 7 wickets in their 24th Singer-MCA Premier League encounter played at FTZ grounds in Katunayake.
Dimo skipper Matheesha Perera won the toss and decided to field first. Textured Jersey managed to score 176 as they were bowled out inside 45 overs. Former Richmond College and Sri Lanka U19 skipper Charith Asalanka top scored with a fine 75 while former Josephian captain Ranesh Perera chipped in with 42. Fast-bowler Ishara Prashan captured 4 wickets while Thikshila De Silva and skipper Perera took 2 wickets apiece.
Dimo comfortably chased down the target as opening batsman Hashan Dumindu scored an unbowed 87 while Nipun Karunanayake and Ramesh Mendis made 29 and 28* respectively. In shocking news, Sri Lanka Cricket vice-captain and star player for Dimo Lanka, Dinesh Chandimal dislocated his right thumb while fielding in this particular match, he had to undergo a surgery and will be out of action for more than a month.
Textured Jersey – 176 all out in 44.3 overs: Charith Asalanka 75, Ranesh Perera 42, Ishara Prashan 4/37, Thikshila de Silva 2/17, Matheesha Perera 2/26.
Dimo – 177/3 in 32.4 overs: Nipun Karunanayake 29, Hashan Dumindu 87*, Ramesh Mendis 28*, Suranga Lakmal 2/26
