Sri Lankan quick Achini Kulasuriya picked up an 8-wicket haul, while Lihini Apsara scored her maiden domestic century to help Army SC A and Air Force SC A stay unbeaten in the Women’s Inter-Club Division I 50-over Cricket Tournament.
Air Force SC B vs Army SC A at Air Force Grounds, Katunayake (6th April)
The encounter, which was supposed to be played on the 5th of April, was postponed to the 6th due to logistical issues. It turned out to be a very short one as Achini Kulasuriya completely demolished the Air Force line-up, ending with incredible figures of 8/12 as the hosts were bowled out for 32 in 21.3 overs.
The Army batters wrapped things up in no time, chasing down 33 in 11.1 overs.
Brief Scores
Air Force SC B 32 (21.3) Surangika Perera 9, Achini Kulasuriya 8/12, Sugandika Kumari ¼
Army SC A 33/0 (11.1) Imalka Mendis 19*, Niluka Kushanthi 10*
Result – Army SC A won by 10 wickets
Air Force SC A vs Chilaw Marians CC at Air Force Grounds, Katunayake
Chamari Polgampola and Lihini Apsara put on the highest opening partnership of the tournament, after Air Force skipper Oshadhi Ranasinghe won the toss and opted to bat first in Katunayake. The pair took their time, but managed together 142 for the 1st wicket, before Polgampola was dismissed for 55. Apsara just kept going however, reaching her 1st domestic century off 144 deliveries with a boundary to mid-wicket.
All-rounder Ama Kanchana provided the finishing touched to the innings, alongside Malsha Shehani, 31 coming off the last 2 overs of their innings.
All hopes of a successful chase rested on the shoulders of Marians openers Vishmi Gunaratne and Chamari Athapaththu, but the pair could only manage 10 and 26 respectively as Marians were bowled out for 145.
Brief Scores
Air Force SC A 288/4 (50) Lihini Apsara 127, Chamari Polgampola 55, Sanduni Nisansala 1/46
Chilaw Marians 145 (46.3) Malsha Madushani 51, Chamari Athapaththu 26, Oshadi Ranasinghe 2/23, Inoshi Fernando 2/33
Result – Air Force SC A won by 143 runs
Navy SC vs Colts CC at Navy Grounds, Welisara
It was another meek surrender from the Colts as they were bowled out for just 44 after opting to bat in Welisara. Having lost their last game narrowly against Air Force A, Navy came out all guns blazing, their left arm quicks Tharika Sewwandi and Udeshika Prabodhani once again doing the early damage before the likes of Inoka Ranaweera and Hansima Karunaratne wrapped things up.
The chase lasted just over 9 overs with the Navy openers Hasini Perera and Sathya Sandeepani completing the job.
Brief Scores
Colts CC 44 (36.1) Hansima Karunaratne 2/2, Inoka Ranweera 2/8, Tharika Sewwandi 2/10
Navy SC 45/0 (9.4) Hasini Perera 29*, Sathya Sandeepani 15*
Result – Navy SC won by 10 wickets
Army SC B vs Air Force SC B at Army Grounds, Homagama
Army opening bowler Madhara Samarakoon picked up an impressive 5/10 to help Army bowl Air Force out for just 51 in their encounter in Homagama.
Army opted to field in muggy conditions and it paid off for them as none of the Air Force batters were able to get going. They then chased down the target with minimal fuss, registering an easy win, their 1st of the competition; Air Force B remain winless so far.
Brief Scores
Air Force SC B 51 (32.1) Ushani Ruwanthika 10, Madhara Samarakoon 5/10, Nishanthi Padmachandra 2/11
Army SC B 52/1 (13.3) Iresha Damayanthi 22*, Sithumini Peiris 18*, Sakuni Wijesinghe 1/10
Result – Army SC B won by 9 wickets
Seenigama CC vs Army SC A at MCC, Hikkaduwa
Playing their 2nd game in two days, Army looked tired with the bat, coming up against a strong Seenigama bowling lineup, comprising of the likes of Kavisha Dilhari and Sachini Nisansala. They struggled to 139 before being bowled out in the 43rd over, with Vihara Sewwandi, Sulesha Sathsarani and Nisansala picking up 2 wickets apiece.
It was the perfect opportunity for the youngsters from Seenigama to register a major upset in the competition, but they just could not string together big enough partnerships to get to the target. The run-outs of Nisansala and Piumi Wathsala turned out to be the turning point of the game, as Army managed to stay unbeaten, barely, winning by 16 runs.
Brief Scores
Army SC A 139 (42.4) Anushka Sanjeewani 22, Roshini Perera 21, Vihara Sewwandi 2/13, Sulesha Sathasarani 2/20
Seenigama CC 124 (43.3) Navodya Nethmini 28, Imesha Dulani 19, Imalka Mendis 2/13, Sugandika Kumari 2/30
Result – Army SC A won by 16 runs
