Bloomfield stun Ragama CC, SSC scrape through by 9 runs

Naren Muralidaran, son of legendary Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralidaran in action for Badureliya CC against Tamil Union

Lahiru Madushanka the match-winner for Bloomfield against Ragama CC with three wickets in the final over

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

On the second day of the SLC Major Club T20 Tournament Bloomfield, Tamil Union, SSC, Sebastianites, Air Force SC and BRC recorded wins yesterday.

Bloomfield stunned Ragama CC with a four-wicket win with two balls to spare at the SSC grounds. Put into bat first Ragama CC were restricted to a total of 139-8 after being strongly placed at one time on 100-2 in the 15th over. Ragama CC lost six wickets for 39 runs in the final five overs largely due to Sri Lanka’s white ball bowling all-rounder Lahiru Madushanka taking three of those wickets in the final over to end with figures of 3 for 22. Skipper Ranmith Jayasena made a top score of 38 off 30 balls. Bloomfield in their turn didn’t fare well either losing their first six wickets for 103 in 16 overs before Captain Nipun Karunanayake (36* off 29 balls) and Adeesha Thilanchana (22* off 14 balls) figured in an unbroken seventh wicket stand of 37 to take them across the line.

Tamil Union coasted to an easy 24 runs win over Badureliya CC in the second match played at SSC. Opting to bat first Tamil Union made 147-7 with Kamlesh Nirmal (35 off 30 balls) and Sammu Ashan (48 off 33 balls) being the principle scorers. Naren Muralidaran, the son of legendary Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralidaran took two wickets with his leg-breaks. Badureliya CC got off to an explosive start with openers Hasitha Amarasinghe (29) and Vishara Fernando (39) posting 50 off 7.1 overs. But once the partnership was broken by leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth (2/20), the runs dried out as the next 47 runs took nine overs and eventually Baduraliya CC managed only 123-6 in their 20 overs with Anuk Fernando being the only other batsman to make any worthwhile contribution scoring a run a ball 39. Isuru Udana, the former Sri Lanka fast bowling all-rounder bowled a tight spell to finish with 3 for 22.

In a low scoring match at the P. Sara Oval, SSC scraped through by nine runs against Kurunegala YCC. Batting first SSC were bundled out for 94 in 16.5 overs by spinner Dilanka Auwardt (3/14) and Aravinda Premaratne (3/15). SSC Captain Avishka Fernando top scored with 39 off 25 balls. Kurunegala YCC in their turn did not fare any better being shot out for 85 off 17.4 overs falling to the pace and spin combination of Kalana Perera, Nisal Tharaka and Prabath Jayasuriya who accounted for seven wickets between them.

In the second match played at the same venue Sebastianites coasted to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Nugegoda SWC with four overs to spare riding on Abisheak Liyanaarachchi’s undefeated half-century (47 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes). Spinners Tharindu Ratnayake (3/20) and Shashrika Pussegolla (3/12) rattled through Nugegoda SWC batting to keep them down to a moderate total of 108-9 of which former Sri Lanka spinner Tharindu Kaushal made a top score of 38* off 36 balls. Then Liyanaarachchi with the assistance of Pussegolla (31 off 30 balls) saw Sebastianites home.

In a low scoring game at Army grounds, Panagoda, left-arm spinner Danosh Ranoadith’s spell of 4/9 and Movin Subasinghe’s splendid 55 off 25 balls (6 fours, 3 sixes) saw Air Force SC (116/6) beat Police SC (115) by four wickets.

BRC got the better of Negombo CC by 53 runs in the second match played at the venue. A powerful half-century from Lakshan Gamage (52 off 26 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes) and contributions of 36 off 32 balls from Bhagya Dissanayake and 26 off 14 balls (3 sixes) from skipper Bhanuka Rajapaksa saw BRC score 144-7. Negombo CC were put out for 91 with left-arm spinner Duvindu Tillakaratne taking three wickets.

Today’s matches

At CCC: Air Force SC v Panadura SC 10 a.m., NCC v Army SC 2 p.m.

At NCC: CCC v Negombo CC 10 a.m., Police SC v Chilaw Marians CC 2 p.m.

At Panagoda: Galle CC v Moors SC 10 a.m., BRC v Kandy Customs 2 p.m.