Friday Feb 07, 2025
Friday Feb 07, 2025
Friday, 31 January 2025 01:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
 |
| Charith Asalanka |
 |
| Avishka Fernando |
 |
| Dasun Shanaka
|
Defending joint champions SSC have recalled three of Sri Lanka’s white ball cricketers from the UAE to reinforce their team for their final three matches of the SLC Major Club 3-day tournament which are crucial to their chances of trying to avoid being relegated to Tier B at the end of the season.
SSC have been badly hit by national calls to their top players and are struggling at the bottom of Tier B, still without a win after five matches.
Sri Lanka’s white ball skipper Charith Asalanka, top order batsman Avishka Fernando and all-rounder Dasun Shanaka have been asked to return midway from participating in the ongoing International League T20 in UAE to bolster SSC for their match against Moors SC starting at the P. Sara Oval today. Asalanka has played three matches for Knight Riders, Fernando six for Warriorz and Shanaka eight for Dubai Capitals. In their absence SSC had given opportunities to quite a number of young players, but they have failed to deliver, thus they have to fall back on experience.
SSC’s remaining three games are all tough ones against Moors SC, Tamil Union and NCC which they must win to avoid finishing at the bottom two of their group. The bottom two teams from each of the two groups will be relegated to Tier B next season.
Chilaw Marians CC and Negombo CC are two other clubs fighting to avoid relegation from Group A. Chilaw Marians CC take on Panadura SC at Hambantota, while Negombo CC play Ace Capital CC at BOI grounds, Katunayake. Kandy Customs CC who like SSC are not too happily placed in Group B don’t have a game this weekend.
The key game for the weekend will be between Group B table toppers NCC and third placed CCC at the NCC grounds.
Other matches commencing today are: Colts v Ragama CC at Colts grounds, BRC v Tamil Union at BRC grounds, and Nugegoda SWC v Kurunegala YCC at De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa.
In the match began yesterday at Police Park, Bloomfield winning the toss against joint defending champions Police SC scored 186-8, recovering from 81-6 at one stage when the tournament’s leading wicket-taker left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera (4/60) threatened to run through the innings. Ron Chandraguptha scored 40 at the top of the order but it was Mineth Premaratne’s dogged knock of 49 off 125 balls (2 fours) and useful contributions of 26 and 34* from late order batters Lahiru Madushanka and Isitha Wijesundara respectively that saw Bloomfield recuperate. The match continues on its second day today.
– [ST]
