The second day of the Final of the SLC Major Club Emerging 3-Day Tournament 2022 between Tamil Union C & AC and Sebastianites C & AC, was played today at the SSC Grounds in Colombo. Batting in their 2nd innings, Tamil Union were 3 down for just 39 despite securing a first-innings lead early in the day.
Continuing from their overnight score of 201/7, the Tamil Union boys ended with a modest 254 for their first innings, largely thanks to Ravindu Fernando’s fighting 76 batting at number 6. Ambidextrous orthodox spinner Tharindu Ratnayake also continued his good form as he completed yet another 5-wicket haul, his 7th in this tournament.
In reply to Tamil Union’s 254, the Sebastianites managed only 167 as they were completely outclassed by Dilum Sudeera’s left-arm orthodox spin. Sudeera claimed brilliant figures of 7/65, his 2nd 7-wicket haul of the tournament to go with his 2 8-wicket hauls. Wicket-keeper batter Vimud Sapnaka was the only player who put on a decent fight for the Moratuwa boys as they fell short by 87 runs.
However, Sudeera had to return to the middle sooner than he would have thought, this time as a night-watchman as his counter-part Ratnayake continued the spinners’ dominance with some quick wickets in the Tamil Union 2nd innings. Sudeera remained unbeaten on 10 alongside Santhush Gunathilake (10*) with a healthy lead of 126 runs. The Tamils will look to add on to this lead early tomorrow before they come out to try and seal the outright win by bundling the Sebastianites out for the 2nd time.
Apart from the battle for the crown between these two teams, Sudeera and Ratnayake are also closely fighting for the top-wicket taker’s spot. Army SC’s left-arm spinner Kaumal Nanayakkara sits on top with 50 wickets at the moment, while Ratnayake and Sudeera are right behind him with 49 and 47 wickets respectively.
FINAL
Tamil Union C & AC vs Sebastianites C & AC at SSC Grounds, Colombo
Toss: Sebastianites
Tamil Union C & AC – 254 (71.5) Ravindu Fernando 76, Raveen De Silva 30, Santhush Gunathilake 27, Supun Kavinda 24, Kavindu Pathiratne 24, Dilum Sudeera 23, Tharindu Ratnayake 5/113, Sandun Fernando 2/24, Manelker De Silva 2/36 & 39/3 (14) Navod Paranavithana 14, Santhush Gunathilake 10*, Dilum Sudeera 10*, Tharindu Ratnayake 2/14
Sebastianites C & AC – 167 (67.1) Vimud Sapnaka 46, Sandun Fernando 26, Tharindu Ratnayake 23, Dilum Sudeera 7/65
Stumps Day 2 – Tamil Union lead by 126 runs
