SLC Major League inter-club tournament High scoring the order of the day

Ragama CC’s Nishan Madushka continued his indomitable form with his fifth century of the season

High scoring was the order of the day on the first day of the SLC Major League inter-club tournament matches with no less than four clubs topping the 300-run plus mark and one going over 400 yesterday.

In the top of the Group A table clash Moors SC did well to dismiss star-studded CCC for 249 and score 35 for no loss in reply at Moors grounds. Half centuries from Kamindu Mendis (59 with 10 fours) and Lasith Abeyratne (73 with 8 fours, 1 six) saw CCC nicely placed at 169-3 before losing their last seven wickets for 80 runs to the left-arm spin of Praveen Jayawickrama and Theeshan Vithushan who took five wickets between them. CCC comprised Asia Cup winning stars Wanindu Hasaranga and Asitha Fernando.

SSC put up another feisty batting display to race to 354-9 against BRC at the BRC grounds. An opening partnership of 105 by Nipun Dananjaya (54 with 7 fours) and Nuwanidu Fernando (72 with 10 fours) laid the foundation for their big score. Later in the day all-rounder Kavindu Nadeeshan struck eight fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 70 off 97 balls.

Centuries from Udayawansha Parakrama (119 off 125 balls, 16 fours, 3 sixes) and Moveen Subasingha (114 off 75 balls, 5 fours, 12 sixes) saw Air Force SC race to 438-9 in their match against Panadura SC at Panadura.

A similar performance from Negombo CC’s batsmen Angelo Jayasinghe (113* off 194 balls, 12 fours) and Madhya Pradesh’s Jatin Saxena (111 off 98 balls, 15 fours, 1 six) who put on 168 for the fourth wicket saw them total 340-9 against NCC at Katunayake.

Army SC were also helped to their first day total of 342-5 against Badureliya SC at Panagoda from hundreds by Thulina Dilshan (111 off 177 balls, 16 fours) and Shehan Fernando (116* off 161 balls, 17 fours, 1 six).

Nishan Madushka’s fifth century of the season (125 off 205 balls, 11 fours, 1 six) enabled Ragama CC to a total of 307-4 against Police SC at Police Park. Four wickets apiece for pacer Shiran Fernando and leg-spinner Raveen de Silva saw Tamil Union dismiss Saracens SC for 253. Tamil Union were 10-0.

Fifties from Thanuka Dabare (62 with 7 fours), Indian-born Swapnil Anil (63 with 3 fours) and Rohan Jayatissa (73 with 8 fours, 1 six) saw Chilaw Marians CC total 282-9 against Ace Capital CC at R Premadasa Stadium.

Lankan CC put up a solid batting display to score 228-5 against Colts at Colts grounds with Deshan Dias (61) and Kasun Abeyratne (65*) hitting fifties. Galle CC were 32 runs away from gaining first innings points scoring 158-3 in reply to Kalutara TC’s 190 at Galle. Indian-born Raghu Sharma took five wickets with his leg-breaks.

Spinners Suwath Mendis and Sahan Nanayakkara took nine wickets between them to dismiss Navy SC for 180 at Moratuwa. By stumps Nugegoda SWC were 112-2 with Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketer Abisheak Liyanaarachchi scoring 60 (7 fours, 1 six). Tharindu Ratnayake took his 13th five-fer to bowl Kurunegala YCC out for 239 at Dombagoda. Sebastianites were 13-0. (ST)