The final group stage matches of the Under 23 cricket tournament took place yesterday with CCC, Army SC, Chilaw Marians and SSC securing wins to claim their places in the semi-finals.
Bowlers guide Colombo CC to victory
Winning the toss and batting first, Colombo Cricket Club did not get off to the total they were looking for as they were bowled out for just 198 in 46.3 overs. Opener Maduranga gave them a good start and also top scored with 56 off 52 which included 8 fours and a six. No other batsman was able to pass the 20 run mark as Colombo CC were bowled out inside the 50 overs.
Ishan Rangana was the pick of the bowlers for Ports Authority as he managed 3 for 27. Shehan Weerasinghe and Hamaduranga Rajapaksha picked up 4 wickets between them.
Defending a rather low total, Colombo CC got off to the best start possible as they managed a wicket off the first ball of the second innings. Ports Authority were reduced to 15 for 3 within 5 overs and were eventually bowled out for just 129 in 32.4 overs. Yohan Shanaka made a valiant effort as he tried to revive his team and managed a fighting 71.
Shaluka Silva managed 3 for just 9 runs while Roshan Anurudda picked 3 for 24. The game was played at the FTZ grounds in Katunayake.
Brief Scores:
Colombo CC: 198 all out in 46.3 overs: (Maduranga 56, Ishan Rangana 3/27, Shehan Weerasinghe 2/29)
Ports Authority: 129 all out in 32.4 overs: (Yohan Shanaka 71, Shaluka Silva 3/9, Oshan Anurudda 3/24)
Result – Colombo CC won by 69 runs
Army in close 8 run win over Saracens
Army won the toss and elected to bat in the game played at NCC grounds. Opener Leo Francisco along with Shasin Dilranga guided Army to a reasonable total of 243 in 50 overs. Francisco managed 63 off 77 balls as Dilranga top scored with 64 off 106 balls. Sangeeth Cooray (3/39) and Shehan Madushanka (3/45) picked up 6 wickets between them.
Saracens came ever so close to their target but fell 8 runs short in a nail biting chase. Ishan Nilaksha was the top scorer for Saracens with 63 runs. Sangeeth Cooray (57) and Tharushan Iddamalgoda (54) managed half centuries but it was all in vain as they fell short and were bowled out for 235 in 49.4 overs. Sanjika Ridma was the star with the ball for Army as he managed 4 for 54 in 8.4 overs.
Brief Scores:
Army: 243 for 9 in 50 overs: (Shasin Dilranga 64, Leo Francisco managed 63, Sangeeth Cooray 3/39, Shehan Madushanka 3/45)
Saracens: 235 all out in 49.4 overs: (Ishan Nilaksha 63, Sangeeth Cooray 57, Tharushan Iddamalgoda 54, Sanjika Ridma 4/54)
Result – Army SC won by 8 runs
Photo Album – Saracens SC vs SL Army – SLC U23 Cricket Q/F 2
Chilaw Marians vs Navy SC
Risith Upamal guides Chilaw Marians to win
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Navy Sports Club were managed a below par 226 as they were bowled out within 50 overs. Thusara Samarakoon, coming in at no. 8 scored 62 runs in quick time to help Navy reach 226. Charith Rajapaksa bagged 3 for 32 in 7 overs.
Chilaw Marians chased down the target losing just 5 wickets. Risith Upamal was the top scorer with 66 as he guided Chilaw Marians home. Lakkana Jayasekera made a hard fought 44 from 90 balls before he was forced to retire hurt. Ishan Abeysekara picked up 3 for 50 in his allotted 10 overs.
Brief Scores:
Navy: 226 all out in 49.3 overs: (Thusara Samarakoon 62, Sameera Sandamal 40, Charith Rajapaksa 3/32)
Chilaw Marians: 228 for 5 in 49 overs: (Risith Upamal 66, Lakkana Jayasekera 44, Ishan Abeysekara 3/50)
Result – Chilaw Marians won by 5 wickets
Photo Album – Chilaw Marians vs Navy SC – SLC U23 Cricket Q/F 3
NCC vs SSC
Centurian Krishan Sanjula steers favorites SSC home
Winning the toss and making first use of the wicket, NCC managed a reasonable 243 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs. Pawan Wickramasinghe, coming in at the crucial number three positon, managed a resilient 80 off 106 balls (4 fours 3 sixes). Opener Lahiru Udara scored 62 for NCC. Punchihewage was the pick of the bowlers for SSC as he managed 4 for 39 while Ramesh Mendis picked up 3 for 31.
Krishan Sanjula put his name in the headlines as he managed a scintillating 106 which included 11 fours as he along with Punchihewage (53) guided SSC home with 4 wickets in hand. Lasith Embuldeniya managed 2 wickets for just 27 runs in 6 overs for NCC.
Brief Scores:
NCC: 243 for 8 in 50 overs: (Pawan Wickramasinghe 80, Lahiru Udara 62, Punchihewage 4/39, Ramesh Mendis 3.31)
SSC: 244 for 6 in 48.4 overs: (Krishan Sanjula 106, Punchihewage 53, Lasith Embuldeniya 2/27)
Result – SSC won by 4 wickets
Photo Album : NCC v SSC – SLC U23 Cricket Q/F 4
