Bloomfield all but assured SLC Major Club League title

Saturday, 8 March 2025 00:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Lahiru Udara and Kamil Mishara produced the only noteworthy partnership with 111

Vandersay, Ravindu bowl NCC out for 312
Udara fights lone battle with 145

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Bloomfield had one hand on the SLC Major Club League title when they dismissed NCC for 312 in reply to their massive total of 508, to gain a first innings lead of 196 on the third day of the four-day final played at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Bloomfield did not enforce the follow-on but decided to bat a second time and finished the day on two without loss, stretching the overall lead to 198 going into the fourth and final day today. If the match ends in a draw, which looks a more likely result at this stage, the team that gains the first innings lead will be declared the winner.

NCC, who began their reply yesterday, lost the wicket of Niroshan Dickwella early for seven in the second over, but Lahiru Udara and Pathum Nissanka put them on course with a second wicket stand of 91. Following Nissanka’s dismissal for 29, a further partnership of 111 developed between Udara and Kamil Mishara (40) that placed NCC in a strong position at 209-2.

But Sri Lanka leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who had taken the wicket of Nissanka, broke the NCC middle order batting by dismissing Mishara and skipper Sahan Arachchige (4) within the space of 11 balls, which proved a big setback.

When off-spinner Ravindu Fernando accounted for Udara’s wicket, trapping him lbw for 145, NCC had lost their last ray of hope. Udara had held the innings together, hitting 14 fours and 3 sixes in a spirited knock that lasted 191 balls.

There was hardly any resistance forthcoming from the rest of the batting, apart from Kavin Bandara’s 36 off 63 balls. NCC’s innings folded up quickly, with the last five wickets falling for 26 runs.

Vandersay (4/64) and Fernando (3/84) shared the spoils with seven wickets between them.

Scores:

Bloomfield 508 and 2-0 at close

NCC 312 (Lahiru Udara 145, Pathum Nissanka 29, Kamil Mishara 40, Kavin Bandara 36, Jeffrey Vandersay 4/64, Ravindu Fernando 3/84)

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