Saturday Nov 16, 2024
Monday, 15 May 2023 02:18 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The glorious uncertainties of cricket was amply displayed, when debutants, CL Synergy toppled the reigning “League” winner, Fairfirst Insurance by 8 wickets, and entered the Final, of the 30th Singer - MCA Super Premier League 2023 “Knock-out” tournament top half Semi Final, concluded, on Saturday, 13 May at Katunayake.
CL Synergy went home to lunch, as their bowlers Isuru Udana (4- 2-11-2), Sudeera Tillakaratne (8-4-10-03), and Sahan Arachchige (7.1-01-17-03) ripped through the strong Fairfirst batting line up, crashing to a paltry 62 runs in 31.1 overs.
CL Synergy knocked off the required runs in just 6.5 overs, with opener Navod Paranavitana, remaining 38 not out.
In the bottom half Semi-Final played at the MCA on the same day, Hayleys Group romped to a comfortable 7 wickets win over CDB Finance.
CDB batting first was restricted to 205 runs in 41.1 overs by Hayleys young pace bowler, Santhush Gunatillaka (7-25-3) and spinners, Prabath Jayasuriya (10-65-5) and Avishka Fernando (3.1-09-02)
Hayleys reached their target in 30.1 overs losing only 3 wickets (209 for 3), their innings propelled by a breezy second wicket stand of 101 runs in 89 balls between Ron Chandraguptha (57 in 68 balls inclusive of a six and 5 fours) and TM Sampath (61 in 51 balls, inclusive of 4 sixes and 6 fours); Nawanidu Fernando (40 not out) and Ashen Bandara (41 not out) put the finishing touches with an unbroken 60 runs stand in 34 balls.
Chief Scores
Hayleys – 209 for 03 in 30.1 overs ( Ron Chandraguptha 57, TM Sampath 61, Navanidu Fernando 40 not out, Ashen Bandara 41 not out, Lakshan Sandaken 2/49)
The Final between Hayleys Group and CL Synergy will take place on Saturday, 20 May at the MCA Grounds, commencing 10.00 a.m.