Kaushal smashes unbeaten 102 to guide SSC in a thriller

Tuesday, 24 December 2013 00:23 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Kaushal Silva smashed an unbeaten century to guide SSC into finals of the Premier Limited Over Tournament 2013/14 beating the defending champions Ragama CC by 2 wickets in a thrilling encounter played at R. Premadasa International Stadium. Ragama batting first got off to a steady start but lost both their openers when the score was on 31. Tight bowling by the SSC bowlers kept the pressure on Ragama batting, but sensible knocks by Ian Daniels and Chanaka Wijesinghe ensured Ragama was on track for a defendable score. Skipper Sameera Soysa played a gem of an innings coming to bat at number six. Sameera scored a terrific 75 runs in as many balls comprising seven fours and two maximums. Sameera together with Malinga Bandara helped Ragama finish their innings on 238/8 in 50 overs. Experienced fast bowler Dhammika Prasad was the pick of the bowlers taking three wickets giving away 48 runs while 18 year old Ramesh Mendis took two scalps. SSC chasing a target of 239 lost their world class opening batsman Mahela Jayawardene and Dhanushka Gunathilake before making huge contributions. The Ragama bowlers had a field day maintaining a discipline bowling line and length but short and nippy Kaushal Silva anchored the SSC innings from one end while he kept on losing partners from the other end. SSC were heading for a defeat when SSC were 186/8 when Kaushal was joined by Dhammika Prasad to finish off the game in a surprising style. Prasad and Kaushal counter attacked Ragama bowling to record an unlikely victory when they chased down the Ragama score with four balls to spare. Kaushal Silva remained unbeaten on 102 while Dhammika Prasad smashed 31 runs in 23 balls with three sixes. Alankara Silva, Sajeewa Weerakoon and Nilanka Premarathne took two wickets apiece. SSC will now meet NCC in the final on 28 December at the same venue. Chief Scores : Ragama – 238/8 in 50 overs (Sameera Soysa 75, Ian Daniel 33, Chanaka Wijesinghe 30, Malinga Bandara 28, Dhammika Prasad 3/48, Ramesh Mendis 2/41) SSC – 242/8 in 49.2 overs (Kaushal Silva 102*, Dhammika Prasad 31*, Alankara Silva 2/34, Sajeewa Weerakoon 2/46, Nilanka Premarathne 2/44) Match Result: SSC won by 2 wickets (4 balls remaining)