Group leaders Tamil Union, CCC struggle on day one

CCC captain Ashan Priyanjan returned career best figures of 8 for 51 against BRC

Ahan Wickramasinghe’s century rescued NCC against Saracens SC

Group B leaders Tamil Union were precariously placed at the R Premadasa Stadium with the possibility of conceding first innings points to Chilaw Marians at the end of the first day of matches in the SLC Major League inter-club tournament yesterday.

Tamil Union did well to dismiss Chilaw Marians CC for 191 with left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera returning figures of 6/71. But Tamil Union in their turn slumped 155-9 by the close, trailing by 37 runs to gain a first innings advantage. Tamil Union’s hopes lie on the shoulders of young Kamesh Nirmal who is unbeaten on 61 (4 fours, 1 six). Former Matara Thomian all-rounder caused the Tamil Union debacle taking his first five-fer (5/57) with his off-breaks.

Group A leaders CCC were also not too happily placed in their match against BRC at CCC grounds. Following skipper Ashan Priyanjan’s career best 8/51 to put out BRC for 153, CCC found themselves struggling to overtake that total finishing the day at 116-5, 37 behind with five wickets intact.

Moors SC suffered a setback to their chances of closing the gap against CCC when they were shot out for 126 at Colts grounds, and by the close conceded first innings points to Colts who finished on 178-4. Sri Lanka U19 World Cup captain and left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage caused the Moors SC collapse with 4/32.

NCC recovered from losing their first four wickets for 42 to post a challenging total of 333-7 by the close against Saracens SC at Moors SC grounds. Former Sri Lanka U19 World Cup cricketer Ahan Wickramasinghe was NCC’s hero, stroking his way to a maiden first-class century (157* off 192 balls, 15 fours, 6 sixes). Sahan Arachchige 61 (6 fours) and Amshi de Silva 54* (5 fours, 1 six) figured in century partnerships with Wickramasinghe to lift the morale of the NCC.

SSC’s prolific run-getter Nuwanidu Fernando scored his fifth century of the season (126* off 251 balls, 13 fours, 3 sixes) to help his team end a rain restricted first day at 220-5 against Ragama CC at Thurstan grounds.

Negombo CC had Army SC struggling at 129-6 at Panagoda with left-arm fast bowler Chanura Fernando scalping three. Damith Perera 92 (8 fours, 1 six) and skipper Sameera Sadamal 87* (6 fours) steered Kurunegala YCC to 271-3 against Kandy Customs CC at NCC grounds.

Ace Capital CC were in control of their match against Air Force SC at Katunayake scoring 312 and capturing four Air Force wickets for 20 runs. Lasith Croospulle 62 (6 fours, 2 sixes) and Mumbai’s Ninad Kadam 56 (4 fours) scored fifties for Ace Capital and Gayan Sirisoma five wickets for Air Force. In the few hours of play possible, Kalutara TC made 97-3 against Police SC at Dombagoda.

Raminda Wijesooriya hit 15 fours and a six in his unbeaten 119 off 136 balls to help Panadura SC to 259-6 against Nugegoda SWC at Panadura. Fifties by Yohan de Silva 61* (8 fours) and Pakistani Hasnain Bokari 86* (9 fours, 2 sixes) enabled Bloomfield to finish strongly on 149-1 against Navy SC at Welisara. Sebastianites finished on 227-6 against Galle CC at P. Sara Oval. (ST)