Angelo’s unbeaten knock steers NCC to final
Angelo Perera cracked an unbeaten 64 which helped his side to record an easy seven wickets win over Colts in the first semi-final played at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday to steer NCC to the final of the Premier limited over cricket tournament.
Angelo whose knock came off just 50 balls comprised four boundaries and five towering sixes as he along with Jehan Mubarak put on an unbroken 100 runs for the fourth wicket enabling them to reach the target of 175 runs in just 29.2 overs.
NCC opener Niroshan Dickwella cuts against Colts who were shot out for a paltry 174. - Pic by Ranjith Perera
NCC in pursuit of their target was given a flying start by openers Niroshan Dickwella and skipper Upul Tharanga who together added 60 runs in even time before they were separated with the dismissal of Niroshan who made a 27.
But they lost two quick wickets for the addition of only 15 runs but was well set for victory with a score of 75 for 3 in the 14th over before Angelo who was the aggressive of the pair steered them to an easy victory.
Earlier in the day NCC right-arm spinner Tharindu Kaushal put NCC on top which laid the foundation for their win. Tharindu who ended with impressive figures of 4 for 33 in his ten overs helped NCC restrict the strong Colts batting who failed to last the full quota of 50 overs to a score of 174.
Colts, invited to take first lease of the wicket made a sedate start with openers Ishan Muthaliph and Shehan Fernando being able to add only 18 runs before they were separated with the dismissal of Shehan.
This was followed by a brief stand of 32 runs for the second wicket between Ishan and Bhanuka Rajapaksa as they lost their second wicket that of Bhanuka with the score reading 50.
Ishan did not last long thereafter as he was sent back to the pavilion two runs later. Much was expected from the pair of Milinda Siriwardena and Roshen Silva but that was not to be as the duo was able to add only a further 13 runs before Roshen nicked a catch to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella with his contribution being only two runs as Colts slid to 65 for 4 in the 14th over.
From there on Colts lost wickets at regular intervals with Tharindu Kaushal striking on two occasions taking the wickets of Harsha Vithana and skipper Dilruwan Perera and at the halfway stage of the innings Colts was badly placed on 93 for 6.
Milinda along with Ishan Jayaratne denied further success for the NCC bowlers as the duo began a recovery act for the side. The pair’s 40 runs association came to an end when Tharindu again being responsible in giving NCC the breakthrough by taking the wicket of Ishan who made a dogged innings of 27 off 55 balls.
Milinda followed one run later having made a top score of 59 from 86 balls becoming Tharindu’s fourth victim with Colts score on 161 for 9 before folding up for 174 which proved insufficient to defend.
NCC will now the meet the winner of the second semi-final clash between defending champions Ragama CC and SSC which is scheduled to be played tomorrow at the same venue.
Colts 174 in 48 overs (Milinda Siriwardena 59, Ishan Jayaratne 27, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 19: Tharindu Kaushal 4 for 33, Lahiru Madusanka 2 for 24)
NCC 175 for 3 in 29.2 overs (Upul Tharanga 30, Niroshan Dickwella 27, Angelo Perera 64 n.o., Jehan Mubarak 32 n.o.: Kanishka Alvitigala 2 for 26)