Moors huff-puff and falter
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Kaushal, Dhammika rescue SSC
By M. Shamil Amit
Kaushal Silva and Dhammika Prasad came to the rescue of SSC with the pair putting on a valuable 102 runs stand for the ninth wicket in the second days play in the final of the Premier league cricket tournament played at the SSC ground.
Moor's bowler Dilhara Lokuhettige in action. Pic by Ranjith Perera
SSC were struggling on 168 for 8, but with the strength of that stand the side end their innings on 324 and take a first innings lead over Moors SC. Kaushal slammed 171 in 240 balls which included 23 boundaries and a six while Dhammika chipped in with a dogged innings of 47 in 75 balls which had five boundaries and a six.
It was the right arm -left arm pace combination of skipper Dilhara Lokuhettige and Vimukthi Perera who did the early damage when they wrecked the back bone of the SSC batting line up.
Dilhara made the early breakthrough in the morning session of play. When SSC resumed from their overnight score of 22 for 1, Dilhara got rid of overnight batsman Charith Jayampathy in the second ball of the first over without any addition to the score.Dilhara had them in further trouble when he dismissed Dhanushka Gunatilleke four overs later and Vimukthi joined his skipper when he sent back opener Tharanga Paranavithana to have SSC in tatters on 59 for 4.
Kaushal Silva the only batsman to put in some resistance till then was joined by skipper Thilina Kandamby. They put in a recovery act with the pair making steady progress as they hoisted the 100 runs for the side.
Two successive boundaries by Kaushal off Vimukthi saw the duo posting their 50 runs partnership and later Kaushal went on to reach his half ton. Vimukthi who again was hit for two successive boundaries this time by Kandamby had the last laugh. Vimukthi got the prize wicket of Kandamby who along with Kaushal had added a valuable 73 runs for the fifth wicket.
Kandamby’s dismissal saw SSC falling into trouble again as they lost three quick wickets with the addition of 36 runs and slid from 132 for 5 to 168 for 8 before going into tea on 197 for 8. Dilhara and Vimukthi shared seven of the eight wickets to fall.
The opening day’s play saw Moors failing to keep up the momentum of the fine start given by their openers Shehan Jayasuriya and Isham Ghouse who put on 108 runs.
Moors underwent some anxious moments after Shehan’s dismissal for 68 which included ten boundaries and a six.
The introduction left arm spinner Dhanushka Gunatilleke saw Moors falling back further as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Chaturanga was the only batsman who was able to put in some resistance but he was forced to watch losing batsmen at the other end.
His patience saw him reach his half ton before becoming the last victim of Dhanushka. Chathuranga made a dogged knock of 51 from 72 balls that included seven boundaries and a six. Dhanushka ended as SSC’s most successful bowlers with figures of 4 for 54. The match will be continued today.
Moors SC 262 (Shehan Jayasuriya 68, Chathuranga de Silva 51, Janaka Gunaratne 42, Isham Ghouse 31, Indika de Saram 19, Harsha Cooray 18: Dhanushka Gunatilleke 4 for 54, Charith Jayampathy 2 for 49) and 6 for no loss
SSC (22/1 overnight) 324 (Kaushal Silva 172, Dhammika Prasad 47, Thilina Kandamby 33, Tharanga Paranavithana 25: Dilhara Lokuhettige 4 for 77, Vimukthi Perera 3 for 86, Malinda Pushpakumara 2 for 72)
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