Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Saturday, 28 December 2024 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Unfamed 31-year-old right-arm fast-medium bowler from St. Aloysius College, Galle, Dinushka Malan playing for Kurunegala YCC in his 35th first-class match in 8 years took his maiden five-fer when he returned figures of 5/27 off 14.4 overs to rout joint defending champions SSC for 89 on the opening day of the SLC Major Clubs 3-day tournament match played at the Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala yesterday.
On a pace-oriented pitch, SSC led by Prabath Jayasuriya and with 5 national caps in their side lost their first wicket to the first ball of the match when former Peterite fast bowler Lahiru Jayaratne dismissed Shevon Daniel. Jayaratne creamed the top of the SSC batting taking 3/31 as SSC lost half the side for 40. Malan continued the good work by picking up the wickets of Dimuth Karunaratne (24), Dasun Shanaka (0) and Jayasuriya (4) on his way to a five-fer. By stumps Kurunegala YCC were also at the receiving end being dismissed for 142 – a first innings lead of 53, with seamers Kasun Rajitha (2/34), Shanaka (5/36) and 19-year-old debutant Akmal Fazly (2/32) from Lyceum Panadura sharing the spoils. Rajitha left the field with a leg injury in his 11th over and the over was completed by Jayasuriya. Jayaratne followed his splendid bowling by top scoring with 43 off 31 balls (3 fours, 4 sixes).
CCC were the other team to gain first innings points on the first day scoring 189-6 after dismissing Tamil Union for 177 at the P Sara Oval. CCC with as many as 6 national caps in the side came up with a fine all round bowling performance spearheaded by Isuru Udana (3/32). Sachitha Jayathilake top scored with 64 (2 fours, 5 sixes) to enable them to recover from 85-7. Contributions of 58 and 46 from Minod Bhanuka and Pavan Rathnayake respectively saw CCC gain the lead.
Kandy Customs CC made the highest total of the day, rattling up an impressive 316-5 against NCC at Colts grounds. Sahan Kosala, former De Mazenod Kandana batsman scored the first century of the season with a cultured 116 off 186 balls (14 fours). Shehan Fernando contributed 56 and Roscoe Thattil 72*.
Fifties from the bats of Dunith Jayatunga (51), Anuk Fernando (64) and Chanaka Ruwansiri (69) enabled Badureliya CC end up with a first day total of 314 against Ace Capital CC at CCC grounds.
A career best performance of 7/46 from left-arm spinner Chanuka Dilshan saw Moors SC dismiss BRC for 200 at BRC grounds. By the close Moors SC had replied with 133-4, trailing by 67 with Sri Lanka cap Sadeera Samarawickrama unbeaten on 42*. Pasindu Sooriyabandara contributed with 41.
Off-spinner Nalin Priyadarshana took 5/80 to help defending joint champs Police SC dismiss Panadura SC for 236 (Rumesh Buddhika 81*) at Panadura. Police SC were 22-1 at the close. Colts spinners Akila Dananjaya (3/34) and Shyamsunder Krishnashriram (3/21) ran through the Negombo CC batting for 181 at BOI Katunayake. By stumps Colts had lost 2 for 39 to trail by 142.
Ragama CC batted the entire day to make 255-7 off 90 overs against Bloomfield at Maggona with main contributions coming from Dineth Thimodya (60), Vinura Dulsara (65) and Sanjaya Chaturanga (49*). Off-spinner Ravindu Fernando took 4/58. All matches continue on the second day today.
– [ST]
