MAS Unichela, John Keells, Commercial Credit in the lead

The race for the MCA big league crown intensified when John Keells meted out the first defeat on the high-riding MAS Unichela by 02 wickets with 04 deliveries to spare in the 24th Singer-MCA Premier League 2017, which continued on Wednesday. 

Despite the loss, after 05 wins on the trot, MAS Unichela continued to head the points table by a single point over John Keells with equal number of wins (23-22); Commercial Credit is lying 3rd with 19 points. 

Two more centurions were added on to the list – young Dilan Jayalath from Textured Jersey scoring a well compiled 150 not out in 143 balls, inclusive of 06 sixes and 12 fours against the defending Champions, MAS Active and Nipun Karunaratne from DIMO scoring a patient 101 in 126 balls, inclusive of a six and 10 fours Vs. Commercial Credit. 

Three half tons by Kusal Perera (68) , Dhanushka Gunatillake (61) and T.M. Dilshan (58) propped up MAS Unichela to score 305 for 9; John Keells took the bull by the horns and put it down with the help of Akshu Fernando, who scored a gutsy 63 runs in 55 balls inclusive of six and 06 fours. 

Fernando held the batting for Keells with 02 fighting partnerships – 72 runs for the 6th wicket with Roshane Silva (52) and 65 runs for the 07th wicket with Shanuka Dulaj (38)

At Colts: Sampath Bank beat HNB by on the D&L method.

Sampath Bank - 296/9 (47.0) (Kaushal Silva 91, Romesh Buddhika 93, Buddhi Perera 3/38, Chandula Weeraratne 2/45, Madawa Warnapura 2/51); HNB – 94/3 in 21.5 over when rain halted play (Ashen Fernando 34 not out).

At Moratuwa Stadium: John Keells beat MAS Unichela by 02 wickets. MAS Unichela – 305/9 (50.0) (Mahela Udawatte 41, Niroshan Dickwella 34, T.M. Dilshan 58, Dhanushka Gunatillake 61, Kusal Perera 68, Akshu Fernando 3/32, Ishan Jayaratne 3/47, Vikum Bandara 2/70); JK - 307/8 (49.2) ( Lahiru Milantha 34, Dimuth Karunaratne 24, Roshene Silva 52, Akshu Fernando 63 not out, Shanuka Dulaj 38, Sandun Weerakkody 36, Dilruwan Perera 3/53, Ishara Amarasinghe 3/62).

At P. Sara Oval: Textured Jersey beat MAS Active on the D&L Method. Tex. Jersey : 329/8 (50.0) (Dilan Jayalath 150 not out, Minod Bhanuka 91, Lasith Ambuldeniya 3/55,  Charitha Jayampathi 2/61, Jehan Mubarak 2/63); MAS Active – 118 for 9 in 25.2 when rain interrupted play (Jehan Mubarak 33, Saliya Saman 2/25, Suranga Lakmal 2/29).

At FTZ Katunayake: Commercial Credit beat DIMO by 05 wickets. DIMO - 250/7 (50.0) (Nipun Karunanayake 101, Pulina Tharanga 53, Ramesh Mendis 40, Suraj Randeev 2/39, Lahiru Madushanka 2/46); Comm. Credit – 251/5 (48.1) (Ashan Priyanjan 77, Upul Tharanga 56 not out, Imesh Udayanga 55, Dilan Cooray 25, Nisala Tharaka 3/45).

The tournament will be continued on Saturday, 1 October with its last batch of matches: MAS Unichela Vs. DIMO at P. Sara Oval, John Keells Vs. Sampath Bank at FTZ Katunayake, HNB Vs. MAS Active at Colts and Commercial Credit Vs. Textured Jersey at Moratuwa Stadium.

Except for the match between HNB and MAS Active, the other three games are most important to the three front runners MAS Unichela, John Keells and Commercial Credit.