Losing finalist Army SC get another crack at title

Last year’s losing finalist Army SC has received another opportunity of laying their hands on the SLC Major T20 inter-club title when they meet Saracens SC in the second semi-final at the P. Sara Oval today.

Army SC lost to SSC in the final played last year and once again they are the only team from last year to reach the last four of the tournament.

Army SC beat Kurunegala YCC by nine wickets in the semi-finals played last year and under former Sri Lanka white ball captain Thisara Perera they will not only be a force to be reckoned with but also be looking to go one notch higher by entering the final and winning the title which was denied them last year.

They have in their line-up six players who played in the final against SSC which includes national caps Asela Gunaratne and Seekkuge Prasanna.

When Saracens SC and Army SC met the last time in a group game, the soldiers managed to squeeze through to a win by one run. Saracens SC required 12 off the final over with their last pair at the wicket managing only 10 which included a six off the last ball of the match.

Saracens SC have retained only three of the players who figured in that match this season but under captain, opening bat and wicket-keeper Sithara Gimhan have turned out to be a fighting unit even though they do not have any big names in their line-up. 

In Malsha Tharupathi, the 17-year-old Sri Lanka Under-19 World Cup all-rounder they have a match-winner whom they will be heavily dependent on to deliver the goods for them. He is their leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps and has also proved to be more than useful with the bat.

The first semi-final for today at the same venue is between Park rivals Colts and BRC. Colts came as far as the quarter-finals last year being beaten by SSC. They have taken one step forward by qualifying to play in the semi-finals and will want to go the whole distance by making it to the final. Led by national cap Akila Dananjaya, Colts dominated the group stages by winning all five matches and will look to extend that run in the knockout stage as well. 

Dananjaya has led the team from the front being their leading wicket-taker with 13 wickets at an economy rate of 6.28 bowling his off-breaks with deadly precision. He has the support of Muditha Lakshan, the slow left-arm orthodox bowler who accounted for nine wickets at an economy rate of 5.27.

BRC will be without their skipper Bhanuka Rajapaksa who has been called up for national duty against Australia. In his absence the reins have passed onto the experienced Tillakaratne Sampath, younger brother of former Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan. 

BRC’s success will rely heavily on how their leading bowler Duvindu Tillakaratne performs. Tillakaratne, the son of former Sri Lanka Test captain Hashan Tillakaratne has been the cornerstone of BRC’s success so far capturing 12 wickets at a miserly economy rate of 3.74. (ST)