Ace Capital CC goes on run-spree – notch up massive 471

• Heavy scoring on opening day of SLC Major 3-day inter-club league

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

The opening day of the SLC Major 3-day inter-club league saw some heavy scoring yesterday with Ace Capital CC, Moors SC and Colts all notching up totals in excess of 400.

Ace Capital CC rattled up the highest total of the day racing to 471 against Saracens SC at the Bloomfield grounds after winning the toss and batting first. Having lost their first wicket at seven that of Sri Lanka cricketer Oshada Fernando, Lasith Croospulle and Thanuka Dabare were involved in an entertaining 214-run partnership for the second wicket. The pair paid scant respect to the Saracens bowling clubbing 34 fours and 16 sixes between them. 

Croospulle went on to make a career best 160 off 139 balls with 16 fours and 10 sixes, and left-hander Dabare playing in his seventh first-class match scored a maiden century – 133 off 87 balls (18 fours, 6 sixes) against his former club for whom he made his first-class debut in 2018.

To add to Saracens’ woes, Ninad Kadam, 29-year-old right-hander from Mumbai also joined the run parade with a career best knock of 83 off 103 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes) adding a further 126 for the third wicket with Croospulle. Mohammed Dilshad was the pick of Saracens’ bowlers with four wickets.

Former Royalist Pasindu Sooriyabandara’s maiden first-class century (133 off 169 balls, 15 fours) saw Moors SC reach 429-6 by the close against Lankan CC at Moors grounds after being invited to bat first. Wicket-keeper Sohan de Livera’s maiden first-class fifty – a run-a-ball 75 (8 fours, 2 sixes) and fifties from Sri Lanka all-rounder and Moors SC skipper Ramesh Mendis (78 off 82 balls, 10 fours, 2 sixes) and Mohammad Shamaz (52 off 50 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) helped swell the total.

Colts also made hay while the sun shone with former Nalanda opener Avishka Perera scoring his maiden first-class century – an unbeaten 210 off 253 balls (17 fours, 3 sixes) and putting together a massive partnership of 284 for the second wicket with Hashan Dumindu who went onto complete his eight first-class century – 130 off 161 balls (12 fours, 1 six). Colts put into bat first by Kandy Customs CC ended up scoring 409-3 by the close.

Defending champions CCC, Ragama CC and Tamil Union were the other clubs to register big totals on the first day.

Sri Lanka cricketer Kamindu Mendis was three runs short of his seventh first-class hundred as CCC raced to 352-4 against SSC at the SSC grounds. Winning the toss and batting first CCC lost their first wicket at five but Mendis with 97* off 162 balls (10 fours) coupled with fifties from opener Nimesh Gunasinghe (64 off 85 balls, 5 fours, 1 six) on his first-class debut, national cricketer Minod Bhanuka (74 off 105 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes) and Lasith Abeyratne (92 off 128 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) enabled CCC to recover from their early loss. Abeyratne and Mendis figured in a fourth wicket stand of 172.

Former Moratu Vidyalaya wicket-keeper/batsman Nishan Madushka guided Ragama CC to a total of 323-8 against Galle CC at the Galle Stadium with his fifth first-class hundred – a compact knock of 150 off 209 balls (18 fours, 3 sixes).

Skipper and national cricketer Sadeera Samarawickrama’s ninth first-class century (117 off 187 balls, 10 fours) carried Tamil Union to 301-9 against NCC at the P Sara Oval. Sri Lanka’s left-arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya took four wickets.

Sri Lanka cricketer Dinesh Chandimal carried his outstanding form in the Test series against Australia and Pakistan to score his 28th first-class century (152 off 246 balls, 10 fours, 8 sixes) in Army SC’s total of 256 at Panagoda. By stumps Bloomfield were not too happily placed at three wickets for six runs. 

Irushika Thimira, Devapathiraja Vidyalaya’s left-arm spinner made a memorable first-class debut taking six wickets for 62 to place Chilaw Marians CC within touching distance of gaining a first innings lead against Panadura SC at Panadura. The home side were bundled out for 153 and by the close Chilaw Marians CC had replied with 134-3, to trail by 19 runs.

Veteran spinner Gayan Sirisoma took two wickets for eight runs to have Navy SC struggling at 17-3 in reply to Air Force SC’s total of 249 at Katunayake.

Former Maliyadeva Kurunegala wicket-keeper/batsman Muditha Premadasa missed out on a hundred on first-class debut when he was left high and dry on 93* off 211 balls (10 fours) in Kurunegala YCC’s total of 237 at Dambulla. By stumps Kalutara TC were nine without loss.

Former Sri Lanka A cricketer Anuk Fernando struck a career best 109* off 217 balls (14 fours, 1 six) and Dunith Jayathunga made 84 as Badureliya SC finished on 264-7 against Negombo CC at BOI Katunayake. BRC were 83-2 after dismissing Police SC for 172 at the BRC grounds.

All the matches will continue on its second day today.