Liyanage century helps Ragama CC post 345 on opening day

 Angelo Mathews drives for runs during his unbeaten knock of 129 for Colts against Panadura SC

• Mathews scores third consecutive hundred for Colts
• Major Club 3-day League day one

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka T20I cricketer Janith Liyanage produced a stroke-filled century (106 off 127 balls, 10 fours, 5 sixes) to help Ragama CC who were invited to bat first by SSC post a first day total of 345 in their key Major Club 3-day match played at the SSC grounds yesterday. Ragama CC lost three wickets for 89 including that of last year’s leading runs scorer Nishan Madushka for four and Lahiru Thirimanne for 39 before Liyanage took control of the innings and was the last batsman out having batted through 78 overs. Ragama CC ended the day on a high, picking up the wicket of Nuwanidu Fernando off the first ball of the SSC innings.

Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews continued his imperious form for the season with his third consecutive century for Colts – 129* off 233 balls (16 fours) as Colts closed the day on 274-8 against Panadura SC at Colts grounds. Mathews and Vishad Randika (51) shared a fifth wicket stand of 96.

The two finalists of last year defending champions CCC and Tamil Union did not have a satisfactory day on the field. CCC with six national players in the side were dismissed for 219 by Galle CC at the CCC grounds. CCC were in dire straits at one stage at 71-6 before skipper Ashan Priyanjan rescued them with a fighting knock of 73 off 132 balls (6 fours). Priyanjan and another national player Lakshan Sandakan (55 off 140 balls, 5 fours) put on a face-saving stand of 78 for the eighth wicket. Spinners Ruwantha Kellepotha (4/57) and Umega Chaturanga (3/77) were the pick of the Panadura SC bowlers.

Tamil Union had a fight on their hands to gain the vital first innings lead against Police SC at Police grounds. After bowling out Police SC for 202 with left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera taking 5/77, Tamil Union slipped to 133-6, still trailing by 69 runs. Ravindu Fernando who took three wickets with his off-spin was unbeaten on 46.

Group B table leaders Moors SC found themselves surprisingly bundled out for 183 by Bloomfield at Moors grounds. The Moors SC batting was consumed by spinners Sahan Nanayakkara (4/65) and Asitha Wanninayake (3/18) and the seam of Manelker de Silva (3/42). Bloomfield had wiped out 41 of those runs without losing a wicket by stumps.

Damith Perera scored an unbeaten 106 off 154 balls (9 fours, 1 six) to steer Kurunegala YCC to 289-4 against Air Force SC at the Welagedera Stadium, Kurunegala. Opener Dilhara Polgampola contributed a tedious 77 off 181 balls (7 fours).

Tillakaratne Sampath was again amongst the wickets (4/47) as Nugegoda SWC dismissed Kandy Customs CC for 198 at De Soysa Stadium Moratuwa. Kandy Customs CC’s overseas Indian cricketer Anureet Singh made a top score of 88 off 110 balls (5 fours, 6 fours). Nugegoda SWC were 65-2 at close trailing by 133 runs. 

On a rain-curtailed first day at Surrey Village ground Maggona, Chilaw Marians CC winning the toss and batting first finished strongly on 163-2 with all round batting contributions against Badureliya SC.

In another game affected by bad light and rain Army SC put into bat were 88-3 against BRC at Panagoda.

All the matches continue on the second day today.