Chilaw Marians, NCC in battle for runner-up spot

NCC captain Angelo Perera sweeps to leg on his way to scoring 107 against Colts at the CCC grounds yesterday 

Centurions for Ragama CC Lahiru Thirimanne (right) and Udara Jayasundera during their triple century partnership against BRC at the P. Sara Oval yesterday​

• Thirimanne, Jayasundera share triple century partnership for Ragama CC

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

With CCC retaining the Premier Tier A league title for another year the interest in the final week of matches of the Super Eight round centred on the runner-up spot for which Chilaw Marians CC and NCC are vying for.

Marians took on the reigning champs and dismissed them for 287 with their left-arm spinner Nimesh Vimukthi taking five wickets. By the close Marians had replied with 83-2 and trail by 204 runs with eight wickets in hand.

In the other key game Colts bowlers took a hammering from NCC who put on a tremendous display of batting to rack up a first day total of 458. Leading the run parade was skipper Angelo Perera who hit a fluent 107 off 111 balls with 9 fours and 4 sixes.

NCC was given a perfect start by openers Lahiru Udara and Niroshan Dickwella when they put on 122 at a rollicking pace off 133 balls. Udara hit 66 off 69 balls with 8 fours and a six and became the first player to pass 1000 runs in first-class cricket for the season and, Dickwella 57 off 63 balls that included 5 fours and a six. Sri Lanka under 19 cricketer Kamil Mishara also joined the run parade with an unbeaten 72 off 99 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes).     

A triple century partnership between two left-handers Sri Lanka’s Lahiru Thirimanne and Udara Jayasundera saw Ragama CC recover from losing their first wicket at three to total an impressive 309-2 by the close against BRC.

Thirimanne struck 10 fours in his 224-ball knock of 140 before getting out towards the end of the day edging a catch behind the wicket. Jayasundera who has a penchant for making big scores (he has a highest score of 318) was unbeaten on 154 scored off 290 balls with 13 fours and 3 sixes. The pair put on 305 for the second wicket.   

Former Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal hit an unbeaten 136 to steer Sri Lanka Army to a first day total of 344 for 5 wickets against injury hit Saracens SC. Chandimal hit 16 fours and a six in his 186-ball innings. Ashan Randika and Pathum Dilshan also chipped in with half-centuries apiece. 

Saracens were without their two Sri Lankan cricketers fast bowler Kasun Rajitha (hamstring injury) and skipper Milinda Siriwardana (flu). They were led by young and promising cricketer Ashen Bandara.   

Super Eight Day One scores

At CCC

• NCC 458 (88.2) at close (Lahiru Udara 66, N Dickwella 57, Chaturanga de Silva 41, Angelo Perera 107, Sahan Arachchige 44, Kamil Mishara 72 n.o., Dushmantha Chameera 28, Dilruwan Perera 4/119, Prabath Jayasuriya 4/117) v Colts

At P Sara Oval

• Ragama CC 309-2 at close (90) (Lahiru Thirimanne 140, Udara Jayasundera 154 n.o.) v BRC    

At SSC

• CCC 287 (59.5) (Ashan Priyanjan 35, Lasith Abeyratne 68, Wanindu Hasaranga 23, Lahiru Madushanka 45, Lakshan Sandakan 35, Asitha Fernando 3/75, Nimesh Vimukthi 5/59)
• Chilaw Marians CC 83-2 (21) at close (Lasith Croospulle 50, Oshada Fernando 25)

At Katunayake

• Sri Lanka Army SC 344-5 (90) at close (Ashan Randika 63, Pathum Dilshan 67, Dinesh Chandimal 136 n.o., Lakshan Edirisinghe 45, Mohomed Dilshad 2/82, Saliya Saman 2/59) v Saracens SC