Textured Jersey beats DIMO to clinch MCA ‘B’ division title

Skipper Nilushan Nonis continued his sterling batting form with another fine innings, as he propelled Textured Jersey to a convincing six-wicket win over DIMO in the third Emerald Ceylon Tea Cup MCA ‘B’ division 50-over League Tournament 2016 final, which concluded at the MCA Grounds on Saturday.

Lakshan Sandakan added three more wickets to his tally of 15 in the tournament, restricting the formidable DIMO batting machine, put into bat to 158 in 39.2 overs; Sandakan (3 for 42) was well supported by Gihan Rupasinghe (2/18) and Nalaka Amarakoon (2/27).

Textured Jersey shed little sweat on reaching their victory target speeding to 159 for 4 in just 21.5 overs through two spirited batting displays from Nilushan Nonis (62 in 46 balls,  inclusive of three sixes and nine fours) and Gihan Rupasinghe  (65 not out in 36 balls studded with eight mighty sixes and two fours)

Gihan Rupasinghe’s belligerent innings and his containing spell of bowling easily earned him the Man of the Match award, adjudicated by the Match Referee Mahesh Jayasekera.

The other three special awards based on performances up to the semi-finals went to Nilushan Nonis from Textured Jersey, Best Batsman (six innings, 356 runs, Avg. 71.2, one century, three half centurions) ;Lakshan  Sandakan from Textured Jersey, Best Bowler  (43.1 overs, 196 runs, 15 wickets) and Koshan Jayawickrama  from Mobitel, Man of the Tournament.

Awards  were presented by Sirosha Gunatillake, Sri Lanka’s representative for Australian-based, Emerald Ceylon Tea,  who was the Chief Guest, Niran Mahawatte,  President,  Nalin Wickramasinghe, General Secretary and Sanjaya Wijesinghe, Secretary, Tournament Committee – all from MCA.

 

Chief Scores 

DIMO – 158 (39.2)  (Lasith Abeyratne 37,  Jason Perera 30,  Heshan Ramanayake 23,  Lakshan Sandakan 3.42,  Gihan Rupasinghe 2/18, Nalaka Amarakoon 2/27)

Textured Jersey - 159/4 (21.5) (Nilushan Nonis 62,  Gihan Rupasinghe 65 not out, Pulina Tharanga  2/46)