Saturday Nov 16, 2024
Saturday Nov 16, 2024
Tuesday, 6 June 2023 00:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
Ace Capital CC led by former Kandy Sylvestrian all-rounder Roshan Jayatissa pulled off a shock 13 runs win over SSC in a SLC Major Clubs T20 match played at the P. Sara Oval yesterday to keep themselves in contention for a place in the semi-finals.
The win put them on top of Group C with three wins from three matches and six points, the same number of points as Tamil Union with only the net run rate separating the two unbeaten teams. With only the group leaders of the four groups going through to the semi-finals, the clash between Ace Capital CC and Tamil Union on Wednesday (7 June) at NCC Grounds will decide the group winner.
An excellent innings of 67* off 39 balls (3 fours, 5 sixes) by former Sri Lanka U19 cricketer Sakuna Liyanage saw Ace Capital CC invited to bat first total 164-8. SSC were dismissed for 151 in 19.1 overs despite knocks of 41 off 33 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes) by skipper Avishka Fernando and 40 off 31 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) by Shevon Daniel. At 132-4 in the 16th over SSC were well on course for victory, but the run out of Daniel sparked off a collapse that saw them lose their last six wickets for 19 runs. The off-breaks of Jayatissa (3/24) and Pawantha Weerasinghe (2/32) proved detrimental to SSC’s cause.
In a bottom of the table Group C clash Kurunegala YCC playing their final match registered their first win beating Badureliya CC by seven wickets at the same venue. In an 11-over shoot out due to rain, Badureliya CC scored 87-7 and Kurunegala YCC replied with 90-3.
Meanwhile, with all the matches in Group A completed, NCC have finished on top with nine points from five games (4 wins) and are the first team to qualify for a place in the semi-finals.
Groups B and D are both open with matches yet to be completed. Colts who currently head Group B with four points have two matches in hand. They take on Ragama CC today and Sebastianites, tomorrow. Also, in the running for the top position in that group are Sebastianites and Bloomfield with the same number of points (4) but with only one game in hand. Bloomfield play their final match against Nugegoda SWC today, and Sebastianites’ final match is against Colts on Wednesday.
Moors SC look assured of qualifying for the semi-finals from Group D with four wins and eight points.
They are the only unbeaten side in the group and their final match is against third placed BRC today. If they win Moors SC will go through to the last four, but if BRC wins they will tie on points with Moors SC. BRC at present has six points and lie third. Second placed CCC whose only loss was to Moors SC by four runs are also in with a chance of qualifying but like BRC their hopes lie on a Moors SC defeat. CCC has six points and plays their final match against Kandy Customs SC today.
A Moors SC loss could result in a three-way tussle for top position with the net run rate deciding on the eventual winner.
Today’s matches
