Thushara celebrates IPL purchase with four-wicket haul

Fast bowler Nuwan Thushara (aka baby Malinga) celebrated his acquisition by Mumbai Indians for IPL 2024 with a four-wicket haul for CCC against Ragama CC in their SLC Major Club 50-over tournament match played at the NCC grounds yesterday.

Thushara rattled Ragama CC’s top order by taking the first three wickets to have half the side out for 85, and came back later to pick the tail to end with figures of 4/35. Ragama CC recovered through contributions from Ranmith Jayasena (44), Chamath Gomez (32) and Nipun Malinga (41*) to post a decent score of 236. CCC replied with 22-1 off five overs when rain ended play forcing a no-result.

Nugegoda SWC became the new leaders of Group B, replacing SSC when they beat Chilaw Marians CC by 122 runs at Surrey Village grounds, Maggona. Invited to bat first Nugegoda SWC ran up a competitive total of 274 courtesy a pleasing knock of 75 off 99 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes) by Rumesh Buddika and an aggressive 49 off 40 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes) by Tillakaratne Sampath. Chilaw Marians CC’s batting was wrecked for 172 by the off-breaks of Nugegoda SWC skipper Rahul Gunasekara (5/46).

A wet outfield saw the second match in three days at the Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala being abandoned without a ball bowled. The unfortunate teams yesterday were Sebastianites and Kurunegala YCC. 

Today’s matches: 

Air Force SC v Tamil Union at Katunayake, Galle CC v Sebastianites at Galle Stadium, Negombo CC v Police SC at FTZ Katunayake, Ragama CC v Kurunegala YCC at P. Sara Oval, CCC v Moors SC at Moors grounds, Kandy Customs CC v Army SC at Panagoda, Bloomfield v Panadura SC at Bloomfield, Badureliya SC v NCC at Maggona and SSC v Ace Capital CC at SSC.