Ragama CC aiming to enter maiden final
View(s):The second semifinal between Ragama CC and Colts, due to be played on January 9, is also going to be a keenly-contested game, with Ragama CC aiming to enter its first final of the Premier Limited Over tournament.
Both sides are well-balanced even in the absence of their top players, who are on national duty in Australia. Colts will be without Kusal Janith and Akila Dhananjaya, while Ragama CC will miss Lahiru Thirimanne.
Ragama CC, led by Sameera de Zoysa, will be extremely confident after recording seven wins from nine preliminary round matches.
Colts recorded six wins against NCC (6 wickets), Badureliya CC (8 wickets), Saracens SC (10 wickets), Panadura SC (73 runs), Moors (41 runs) and Tamil Union (5 wickets) with two defeats against CCC (23 runs) and SLPA (5 wickets).
 Sajeewa Weerakoon |
 Sameera de Zoysa |
Ragama CC’s batting has revolved around four batsmen: Thirimanne, Michael Vandort, the only centurion of the side with an unbeaten ton against Air Force, Ian Daniel and Kaushalya Weeraratne.
The bowling will be in the hands of veteran Malinga Bandara, who is their top wicket-taker, Kaushalya, Milinda Siriwardena and Rushan Jaleel. They are capable of running through their opponents’ batting and the side will need them to do just that.
For Colts the unavailability of their top scorer and sole centurion, Kusal Janith, is going to be a great loss. Apart from Janith only Shehan Fernando has been able to make some impression and it’s going to be a daunting task for them and this is where the others will have to see them through.
Last year’s skipper Malinda Warnapura has been in top form of late, and he along with Akshu Fernando, who has played only three matches too, have been consistent. The support of Harsha Vithana and Chathuranga Kumara will also be crucial.
Colts’ bowling attack will be spearheaded by skipper Sajeewa and Ishan Jayaratne, who together have 29 wickets. Chathuranga Kumara and Lokuarachchi are expected to support the duo.
The teams:
Ragama CC: Sameera de Zoysa (Capt), Michael Vandort, Ian Daniel, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Shalika Karunanayake, Malinga Bandara, Udara Jayasundara, Milinda Siriwardena, Madura Lakmal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Rushan Jaleel, Nilanka Premaratne, Lahiru Jayaratne.
Colts: Sajeewa Weerakoon (Capt), Malinda Warnapura, Shehan Fernando, Roshen Silva, Harsha Vithana, Nisal Randika, Akshu Fernando, Chathuranga Kumara, Ishan Jayaratne, Kanishka Alvitigala, Anuk Silva, Chathuranga de Silva.
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