Badureliya CC springs surprise on SSC on opening day

 Sri Lanka Under-19 skipper Sineth Jayawardena scored the first century on the opening day for Tamil Union

• Major Club Under-23 tournament

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Badureliya CC sprung the first surprise on opening day of the Major Club Under-23 tournament when they dismissed SSC for 131 and took a first innings lead by replying with 165-6 at the SSC grounds yesterday.

SSC’s batting with several Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketers in their line-up was dismantled by spinners Nirmala Rathnayake (4/28), Sadeep Fernando (3/46) and Ruchira Koshitha (2/26). Skipper Ranuda Somarathne made a top score of 34. In Badureliya CC’s reply to Yuthika de Silva (58 off 61 balls, 11 fours, 1 six) helped them build up a first innings lead of 34 by the end of the day. 

In the key match of the opening day, Tamil Union were in a strong position ending on 233-4 after dismissing NCC for 117 at the P. Sara Oval. Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketers Sineth Jayawardena and Vihas Thewmika took the honours for the day. Thewmika scalped five NCC batsmen for 27 runs with his off breaks, after which Jayawardena, the Sri Lanka Under-19 Captain hit a sparkling 105 off 70 balls (14 fours, 5 sixes) as Tamil Union replied with 233-4. Wicket-keeper Tharindu Harshana (58* off 71 balls, 7 fours, 1 six) and skipper Vijayakanth Viyaskanth (35 off 29 balls, 3 sixes, 3 fours) helped swell the total. 

Newly crowned Major Clubs Limited Overs champions Ace Capital CC had their game against Negombo CC under control at Air Force grounds, Katunayake. An opening stand of 75 between Tharindu Amarasinghe (44) and Hiran Jayasundara (39) saw Ace Capital CC reach 189 despite the threat posed by left-arm spinner Kaveesh Sathsara (4/62). By stumps Negombo CC had lost half the side for 84 with former Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketer Raveen de Silva capturing 4/18 with his leg-breaks. Captain Mihil Kaveen was unbeaten on 45 as Negombo trailed by 105 with five wickets in hand.

Kandy Customs SC went on a run-spree against Colts at Colts grounds rattling off 319-8 off 81 overs with impressive fifties from Thevindu Dickwella (79 off 93 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes), Sadishan Chamodya (89 off 164 balls, 9 fours) and skipper Sahan Kosala (53 off 67 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes).

Another high scoring game was witnessed at the Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala where hosts Kurunegala YCC raced away to 306 against Police SC. There were good contributions all round with Rashmika Madushanka leading the way with 62 off 67 balls (7 fours), supported by Captain Amesh Thennakoon (45), Dimantha Arusha (44), and Deshan Senevirathne (43). Left-arm spinner Thanuga Palihawadana took 5/100.

The match between Panadura SC and Nugegoda SWC at Panadura esplanade was nicely poised at the end of day one. Fifties from Savindu Kavinda (66 off 123 balls, 9 fours) and Kavindu Wickramasinghe (89 off 130 balls, 12 fours, 1 six) enabled Panadura SC total 267. Nugegoda SWC in reply had wiped out 60 of those runs losing one wicket.

Following a late start at Army grounds, Panagoda, Bloomfield ended the first day against CCC on 89-3. All the matches will continue on the second day today.