Ratnapura Express Eshan Malinga unsettles BRC’s hopes

Sri Lanka Test fast bowler Vishwa Fernando took five wickets for CCC to bundle out Colts for 125

SSC’s top rungetter Nuwanidu Fernando scored his fourth consecutive century of the season

Nugegoda SWC’s overseas recruit Murtaza Trunkwala celebrates his century against Ace Capital CC

Ragama CC’s quick Eshan Malinga dismissed BRC for 160 with four wickets

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

BRC’s chances of topping the Group A table in the SLC Major League Inter-Club Tournament were rattled by Ragama CC’s 21-year-old right-arm fast bowler Eshan Malinga, who ripped out four batsmen for 39 runs to dismiss them for 160 on the opening day at Moors SC grounds yesterday.

Malinga, a product of Seevali College, Ratnapura was dubbed the Ratnapura Express after becoming the fastest bowler in the Airtel competition. Ragama skipper Janith Liyanage offered good support to Malinga taking three wickets and in Ragama CC’s reply of 134-2 contributed an unbeaten half-century off 88 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes).

In a key clash, Sri Lanka Test left-arm fast bowler Vishwa Fernando took five wickets for 36 to bundle out Colts for 125 at the Colts grounds. By the close CCC had already gained first innings points replying with 139-6. Sri Lanka wicket-keeper Minod Bhanuka made a top score of 68 of 86 balls (8 fours, 1 six).

Vishwa’s younger brother Nuwanidu Fernando was going great guns for SSC notching up his fourth consecutive century of the season against Kalutara TC at the SSC grounds. Fernando hit 13 fours and a six for his 100 off 143 balls. Fernando and skipper Sammu Ashan (73 off 129 balls, 7 fours) added 160 for the third wicket. 

SSC finished in a strong position at 394-5 with wicket-keeper Manoj Sarathchandra completing his 11th first-class hundred – 110* off 114 balls (7 fours) and figuring in a partnership of 179 with Lakshitha Manasinghe (86 off 100 balls, 4 fours, 5 sixes).   

Bottom of Group A table Sebastianites played themselves into a strong position at the CCC grounds by dismissing Police SC for 107 and taking first innings points scoring 164-3 in reply with Lucknow’s Akshdeep Nath (71) and Manelker de Silva (72*) figuring in a third wicket partnership of 134. Sebastianites’ prolific ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Ratnayake was again amongst the wickets taking 7 for 47.

Veteran left-arm spinner Gayan Sirisoma took his 64th five-fer in an innings for Air Force SC but Tamil Union helped by an all-round batting performance were all out for 345 at Katunayake. Navod Paranavithana made 61 in an opening stand of 99 with Ron Chandraguptha (46), Ravindu Fernando (67) and Dilum Sudeera (52).

Spinners Chalana de Silva (left-arm) and Indian bowling all-rounder Parvez Rasool (off-break) ran through the Navy SC batting for 190 capturing nine wickets between them at Maggona. By stumps Badureliya SC had replied with 92-2 to trail by 98 runs.

India’s Parth Palawat missed out scoring his maiden first-class century (96 off 217 balls, 6 fours, 4 sixes) helping Panadura SC to 292-4 against Bloomfield at Bloomfield. Galle CC gave a dour display of batting to score 178-8 off 90 overs against Kandy Customs CC at Thurstan grounds.

50s from Danushka Dharmasiri (58), Damith Perera (56) and Dinushka Malan (72) saw Kurunegala YCC score 306 after being invited to bat first by Lankan CC at Panadura. Nugegoda SWC’s overseas recruit Murtaza Trunkwala from Maharashtra scored a career best 123 (206 balls, 12 fours, 1 six) to help them end the first day at 295-8 against Ace Capital CC at De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa.

Overseas players Gaurav Jathar from Mumbai and Anuj Jotin from New Delhi helped Chilaw Marians CC to end day one on 251-5 against Saracens SC at the R Premadasa Stadium. Jathar struck seven fours in scoring his maiden first-class century (110* off 241 balls), and Jotin made 74.

Former Sri Lanka one-day cricketer Sandun Weerakkody scored 95 off 118 balls (7 fours, 5 sixes) to help NCC total 282 against Army SC at Panagoda made 282. Army SC’s left-arm spinner Kaumal Nanayakkara took five wickets. All the matches will be continued on the second day today.