Colts, SSC, Moors SC record innings victories

Tillakaratne Sampath of Nugegoda SWC celebrates his fifth CCC wicket in the second innings

Colombo Colts, SSC and Moors SC joined NCC and Chilaw Marians CC in recording innings wins on the second weekend of the Major Club 3-day League on Sunday. NCC and Chilaw Marians CC won their matches last weekend.

Colombo Colts CC in their 150th year secured full points with their second successive win of the season beating Park rivals BRC by an innings and 46 runs at Colts Grounds. Trailing Colts by 243 runs in the first innings, BRC were bowled out for 197 in their second innings with Colts skipper and spinner Akila Dananjaya who opened the bowling taking 6/87 off 27 overs for nine wickets in the match.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ all-rounder Lakshitha Manasinghe took his tenth five-fer in first-class cricket (6/61) to bowl SSC to a comprehensive innings and 13 runs win over Negombo CC at the SSC Grounds. Beginning the final day at 10-0, Negombo CC required a further 181 runs to avoid an innings defeat. But could manage only 177 falling to the off-breaks of Manasinghe. The win, their second in successive weekends, kept SSC on par with Colts in Group A.

Moors SC consolidated their position at the top of Group B with their second straight win beating Air Force SC by an innings and 48 runs at Katunayake. Moors SC required only the last Air Force SC wicket and they picked it up for the addition of 15 runs with spinners Theesan Vithushan (3/48) and Praveen Jayawickrama (4/68) completing the win. Air Force SC were all out for 215.

Defending champions CCC should be thankful for bad light holding up play that allowed them to escape with a draw against Nugegoda SWC at CCC Grounds. Spinners Lakshan Sandakan (4/41) and Sonal Dinusha (3/97) did well to dismiss Nugegoda SWC for 257 in the second innings leaving CCC with the task of chasing 176 for victory. By stumps CCC who had gained first innings points were struggling at 75-8 against the off-spin of Tillakaratne Sampath (brother of former Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan) who ended with figures of 5/31 (match bag of 9/79).

Ragama CC took first innings points from Panadura SC at Thurstan College Grounds by scoring 426-7 in reply to Panadura SC’s first innings of 396. Sanjaya Chaturanga scored an undefeated 103 off 110 balls (7 fours, 5 sixes) to go with half-centuries from Janith Liyanage (77), Nishan Madushka (69) and Lahiru Thirimanne (84).

Former Thurstan College wicket-keeper/batsman Ranesh Silva scored his maiden first-class hundred – 100* off 120 balls (20 fours, 1 six) to help Badureliya CC (157-7) draw with Ace Capital CC at Maggona. Ace Capital CC took first innings points from the match with former Sri Lanka U19 left-arm spinner Wanuja Sahan taking 4/68 (match bag 9/131).

Tamil Union picked up first innings points from Kurunegala YCC dismissing them for 262 in reply to their first innings of 360. Rain brought an early end to the match with Tamil Union 22-0 in their second innings.

Rain and wet ground conditions at Panagoda saw only 73.4 overs being bowled over the three days where the match between Kandy Customs CC (189) and Army SC (8/1) ended in a draw. Army SC’s left-arm spinner Kaumal Nanayakkara took five wickets. (ST)