Colts win in last ball thriller, Tamil Union stun SSC

Wednesday, 31 May 2023 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Jehan Daniel’s knock of 82 off 43 balls saw Colts edge home off the last ball against Bloomfield

SLC Major Club T20 tournament

Half-centuries from skipper Avishka Fernando (73 off 47 balls, 7 fours, 5 sixes) and Krishan Sanjula (64 off 55 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes) and their century opening partnership of 116 for SSC proved in vain as Tamil Union pulled off a stunning four-wicket win with a ball to spare at the NCC grounds. It was a creditable performance by Tamil Union to chase down SSC’s total of 178-1 by replying with 182-6.

Navod Paranavithana scored an aggressive 56 off 24 balls (5 fours, 4 sixes) and Ravindu Fernando 30 off 22 balls (3 sixes) at the top of the order. But it was left to former Sri Lanka white ball all-rounder Isuru Udana to put the finishing touches to the match. Needing 15 off the last over Udana using his vast franchise experience scored the runs, ending the match in style with a six and a four off seamer Nisal Tharaka. Test spinner Prabath Jayasuriya took three wickets for SSC.

Ragama CC suffered their second defeat in the tournament when Sebastianites beat them by 14 runs in the second match played at this venue. Replying to Sebastianites’ score of 154-6, Ragama CC could muster only 140-9 with their batting collapsing to the seam of Charith Rajapaksa (4/30) and the left-arm spin of skipper Chamika Edirisinghe (3/12). Isiwara Dissanayake (55 off 44 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) and Sachitha Jayathilaka (63* off 40 balls, 2 fours, 5 sixes) scored fifties to rescue Sebastianites from a precarious 39-5 with a 103-run standoff 11 overs.

Ace Capital scored an easy 62 runs win over Kurunegala YCC at the CCC grounds. A fine half-century from Thanuka Dabare (56 off 34 balls, 3 fours, 5 sixes) and an undefeated 35 off 22 balls (3 sixes) from Ravindu Ratnayake saw Ace Capital reach 190-7 despite left-arm spinner Dilanka Auwardt’s effort of 4/36. Tight bowling and fielding by Ace Capital kept Kurunegala YCC pegged down to a score of 128-6 when the overs ran out.

Colts defeated Bloomfield by three wickets in a last ball thriller at the same venue. Chasing a target of 172, Colts squeezed home off the final ball going into the final over with 16 required for victory. Jehan Daniel almost carried them to victory with a scintillating knock of 82 off 43 balls (7 fours, 5 sixes). He hit the first two balls for six but was out to the fifth ball with Colts needing two for victory. Akila Dananjaya got them home with a couple off the last ball. Ashan Fernando top scored for Bloomfield with 50 off 34 balls (2 fours, 2 sixes). (ST)

TODAY’S MATCHES

At SSC: Chilaw Marians CC v Panadura SC, 10 am, BRC v CCC, 2 pm

At P Sara Oval: NCC v Air Force SC, 10 am, Kandy Customs v Galle CC, 2 pm

At Maggona: Army SC v Police SC, 10 am, Negombo CC v Moors SC, 2 pm