Moors opener Shehan Jayasuriya smashed a swashbuckling century and shared an imposing 186 for the second wicket with Oshada Fernando as Moors snatched a close 12 run win over NCC at NCC grounds yesterday.
In reply to Moors imposing 284 for five, NCC managed 272 runs for the loss of nine wickets in their 50 overs.
Moors lost their other opener Isham Ghouse when the score was on 13 but left-handed Jayasuriya and Fernando set the perfect platform for a challenging total as they amassed 284 for 5. The duo showed little respect to the bowlers as they smashed them to all corners of the ground with ease.
Jayasuriya made 114 off 117 deliveries with 10 fours and two sixes before Farveez Maharoof bowled him through the gate in the 40th over of the match. Fernando made a well compiled 77 off 115 balls with five boundaries. Chaminda Vidanapitharan claimed two for 50.
NCC lost their in-form opener Niroshan Dickwella for 20 when he ran himself out for 20 runs but Upul Tharanga (119) and Anjelo Perera (51) fought hard with a 119 run partnership for the third wicket but Moors came back strongly with a tight bowling effort to restrict them for 272 runs. Tharanga spared 141 balls for his 119 and had 12 boundaries. In bolwing leg spinner Malinda Pushpakumara claimed his second four wicket haul, foru 30 runs while off-spinner Janaka Gunaratne claimed three for 33 runs.
This was NCC’s second defeat in a row.
Moors: 284 for 5 (S Jayasuriya 114, V Fernando 71, J Gunaratne 33 not out; C Vidanapthirana 2 for 50)
NCC: 272 for 9 ( U Tharanga 119, A Perera 51; M Pushpakumara 4 for 30, J Gunaratne 3 for 44)
