Asalanka takes career best 6/112 for fighting SSC

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Pasindu Sooriyabandara played a Captain’s knock for Moors SC

Charith Asalanka took a career best 6/112 for SSC

SLC Major Club 3-Day Tournament

Sri Lanka’s white-ball skipper Charith Asalanka took his maiden five-wicket haul in first-class cricket (6/112 off 31.2 overs) to leave SSC chasing a first innings total of 320 against Tamil Union on the opening day of their SLC Major Club 3-Day match played at the SSC Ground yesterday.

Choosing to field first, SSC had Tamil Union at 196-7 at one stage, but steadfast batting by the tail – skipper Tharindu Ratnayake (50 off 45 balls, 6 fours, 2 sixes) and Kalana Perera (46 off 43 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes) – saw them reach a substantial score. Thulina Dilshan (66 off 131 balls, 8 fours) and Risith Upamal (60 off 114 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) contributed to the top order.

SSC, lying second from the bottom of Group B, are fighting hard to stave off relegation and need a win in this match to keep their hopes alive.

Nugegoda SWC and Kandy Customs CC, two other clubs in the group also fighting against relegation, met at Hambantota. Nugegoda SWC, winning the toss and batting first, got off to a good start, posting an impressive 308-5 courtesy centuries from Avishka Perera (109 off 181 balls, 15 fours) and Roshan Wijenayake (103 off 213 balls, 9 fours, 1 six), who added 178 for the second wicket.

Badureliya SC, who are second from the bottom of Group A, were strongly placed in their game against Chilaw Marians CC at Maggona. Spinners Chanaka Komasaru (4/45) and Chanaka Ruwansiri (4/59) bundled out Chilaw Marians CC for 131 (Thikshila de Silva 54). By stumps, Badureliya SC were six runs short of gaining a first innings lead, ending the day at 126-5.

Wooden-spoonists of Group A, Negombo CC, scored 240 in their match against Panadura SC at the BOI Ground, Katunayake, with Himasha Liyanage contributing 73 and left-arm seamer Mohamed Dilshad taking 5/37. Panadura SC replied with 31-1.

In the Group A top of the table clash, Bloomfield, winning the toss and batting first at Welisara, made 308, with Ravindu Fernando missing out on a hundred by six runs (94 off 118 balls, 9 fours, 3 sixes) and leg-spinner Melan Hansaka taking 5/92. By close, Ace Capital CC had replied with 14-0.

The Group B table top clash saw Moors SC ending the first day at 243-9 against NCC at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, standing in for Ramesh Mendis, played a Captain’s knock of 100* off 227 balls (6 fours) with Janishka Perera contributing a fifty. Off-spinner Ashian Daniel took 4/61.

CCC, with six national players in the side and led by all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, had a fight in their hands against Kurunegala YCC at the CCC Ground. Left-arm spinner Kavika Dilshan took 6/121 to bowl CCC out for 262 (Minod Bhanuka 80). Kurunegala YCC replied strongly with 111-1, of which opener Gayan Maneeshan contributed a run-a-ball 68* (7 fours, 1 six).

Colts recovered from losing both their openers without scoring to post 246 against Police SC at Police grounds. Dhananjaya Lakshan (63) and Muditha Lakshan (54) scored fifties to boost Colts’ total from 35-4. Left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, had another rich haul, taking 6/96. Police SC finished the day on 59-2.

All matches continue on the second day today. – [ST]

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