SSC aiming for a Major Club double

Thursday, 28 December 2023 00:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Janith Liyanage made his fourth score of over fifty for Ragama CC

Nine matches today in Major Clubs Limited Overs tournament

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Dushan Vimukthi’s fine all-round performance (4/24 & 75*) helped Sebastianites win

Joint Major League Club 3-day joint champions SSC will look to further consolidate their position at the top of Group B when they meet Bloomfield at Bloomfield grounds in a Major Clubs Limited Overs match today.

SSC who will be looking to achieve the double this season with the League and Limited Overs titles hold a three-point lead over their nearest rival Nugegoda SWC who have played the same number of matches as SSC (6).

Of the nine matches down for decision Nugegoda SWC don’t have a fixture today, which gives SSC an opportunity to further stretch their lead. Likewise, third placed Chilaw Marians CC also have an opportunity to replace Nugegoda SWC in second spot if they can beat Panadura SC at Panadura.

Last year’s losing finalist Army SC who are currently placed sixth in Group B takes on NCC at the NCC grounds, while defending champions Tamil Union not faring too well in eighth place with one win and a loss have a chance to move up when they host bottom of the table Police SC at the P Sara Oval.

With Group B leaders Sebastianites beating Ragama CC by six wickets at Maggona yesterday and opening up a three-point lead, second placed Negombo CC will need to beat CCC whom they meet at FTZ grounds Katunayake to keep pace with them.

Sebastianites match winner was 32-year-old all-rounder Dushan Vimukthi. He took four wickets for 24 runs with his off-spin to dismiss Ragama CC for 231 and then contributed an unbeaten 75 off 95 balls (6 fours, 1 six) figuring in a 103-run stand with skipper Pramod Maduwantha (50 off 64 balls, 6 fours) to help Sebastianites hunt down the target in 40 overs. The inform Janith Liyanage made his fourth score of over fifty in the tournament with a power-packed 86 off 74 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes) for Ragama CC.

Third placed Colts also have a chance to move up when they play Air Force SC at Katunayake. Likewise, Moors SC who have the same number of points as Colts (7) can improve their position from seventh when they meet Galle CC at the Galle Stadium. Other matches today are the bottom of the Group B table clash between BRC and Kandy Customs CC at BRC, and Badureliya SC v Ace Capital CC at Surrey Village grounds, Maggona.

The top two teams from each of the two groups will qualify to play in the semi-finals.