Ace Capital CC causes first major upset with win over SSC

Ace Capital CC led by left-handed opener Thanuka Dabare caused the first major upset of the ongoing SLC Major Club T20 tournament when they defeated a strong SSC side with six national cricketers in their side by 46 runs in a Group C match played at Surrey Village grounds, Maggona yesterday.

Choosing to bat first Ace Capital CC racked up an impressive score of 178-5 with contributions of 40 off 27 balls (2 fours, 4 sixes) from Dabare and 63* off 43 balls (7 fours, 1 six) from Pawantha Weerasinghe. Splendid bowling by seamers Danal Hemananda (3/21) and Nimsara Atharagalla (2/19) restricted SSC to 132-9 with only openers Avishka Fernando (27) and Danushka Gunathilaka (25) making any worthwhile contribution with the bat.  

BRC and Moors SC battling for the top two spots from Group B, secured their second successive wins in the tournament. BRC (85-5) beat Badureliya SC (80-9) by five wickets at the SSC grounds with Mohamed Shiraz (3/15) and Malinda Pushpakumara (2/18) and Rajiva Sandaruwan (40 off 17 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) excelling for the winners, and leg-spinner Shean Wijesinghe (4/21) for the losing side.

Moors SC thumped Chilaw Marians CC by eight wickets at the SSC grounds. Seamer Tilanga Udeshana (career best 4/16) restricting Chilaw Marians CC to 124-8, and Janishka Perera (49* off 41 balls, 1 four, 4 sixes) and Sohan de Livera (47 off 35 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) seeing Moors SC home with 19 balls to spare.

Tamil Union bounced back from their defeat to SSC in their opening game, with a convincing 71 runs win over Negombo CC at Maggona. Tamil Union defended their moderate total of 147-9 by dismissing Negombo CC for 76 with their left-arm spinner from Jaffna, Theesan Vithushan taking his maiden five-fer (5/20). Negombo CC’s left-arm seamer Chanura Fernando also produced his best bowling performance with 4/31. – (ST)

Today’s matches

At Bloomfield: NCC v Ragama CC (9.45 a.m.); Nugegoda SWC v Police SC (2 p.m.)

At NCC: Kandy Customs SC v Panadura SC (9.45 a.m.); Colts v Kurunegala YCC (2 p.m.)