Low scores – blame the showers
View(s):Despite rain delaying the start of second day’s play of the SLC Emerging Trophy Cricket Tournament, Air Force, BRC and Lankan CC hogged the limelight with timely performances, making the dull games a bit exciting yesterday.
BRC Batsman Maduranga Soyza in action against Kurunegala CC. Pic by Ranjith Perera
Air Force pacemen Asiri Karunaratne and Lasanda Rukmal became the nightmare of Kalutara PCC batsmen as they were skittled out for 75 and took a decent lead of 76 runs with a day remaining at Katunayake. Kalutara PCC were badly placed at 74-8 on Friday when stumps were drawn and were dragged to a grave position after bowling them out after adding one run to their overnight total. Left-armer Karunaratne claimed a five wicket haul while right-armer Rukmal took three scalps. Air Force in reply made 152 runs with Sohan Rangika emerging the top scorer with a knock of 41. Left-arm spinner Anushka Deemantha took four wickets and off-spinner Sumudu Suranga grabbed three. At stumps Kalutara PCC were 1 for no loss.
Maduranga Soyza hit a half century as BRC posted 304 runs but Kurunegala YCC were in a decent position at 93-2 at the BRC ground, becoming the only game to start on time yesterday. BRC resumed from their overnight total of 70-1 and justified the time they took the crease by adding 234 runs yesterday. By the end of the day BRC have taken a lead of 211 runs after Soyza became the top scorer with a knock of 64. Lisula Lakshan, Sashin Dilranga, Indika de Saram, Vikum Sanjaya, Nuwan Perera and Mangala Kumara made useful contributions with the bat. Left-arm spinner Duminda Dissanayake became the main wrecker, claiming four scalps. For Kurunegala YCC Rasanjana Jayaratne remained 41 not out at crease.
At Welisara the match between Lankan CC and Navy SC was evenly poised but a draw is a higher possibility. Put into bat, Lankan CC were restricted to 170 with Shantha Kalavitigoda top scoring 48 yesterday, as they added 160 runs to their overnight score. Heshan Perera hit 42 but the star of the day was right-arm paceman Virushka Marlon, who grabbed six priceless wickets. At stumps the Sailors were 33-4. After resuming from their overnight score of 74-4, Police SC were bowled out for 121 with Supun Nirmala top scoring with 29 against Kalutara TC at Maggona. Heshan de Silva took four wickets and Manoj Deshapriya claimed three scalps. At stumps Kalutara TC were 41-2.
The match between the two towns on the Southern Coastal Belt, Panadura SC and Moratuwa SC started off late due to a wet outfield at Panadura Esplanade. From their overnight score of 67-1, Panadura SC went on to post 234 with Vinesh Mimukthi and Mohamed Shilmy taking the batting honours. Moratuwa SC were 74-2 at stumps. - NA
At Katunayake:
Kalutara PCC (Overnight 74-8) 75 all out in 33.4 overs (Romesh Rangana 42, Asiri Karunaratne 5 for 20, Lasanda Rukmal 3 for 9) and 1 for no loss in 0.5 overs at stumps
Air Force 152 all out in 51 overs (Sanjeewa Bulaththara 28, Sohan Rangika 41, Anushka Deemantha 4 for 46, Sumudu Suranga 3 for 13)
At BRC:
BRC (Overnight 70-1) 304 all out 72.5 overs (Maduranga Soyza 64, Lisula Lakshan 31, Sashin Dilranga 26, Indika de Saram 30, Vikum Sanjaya 35, Nuwan Perera 30, Mangala Kumara 26n.o, Duminda Dasanayake 4 for 62, Mohamed Shiraz 3 for 57)
KYCC 93 for 2 wickets in 30.1 overs at stumps (Rasanjana Jayaratne 41n.o, Damith Perera 26, Dharshana Mahawatte 19n.o.)
At Welisara:
Lankan CC (Overnight 10-0) 170 all out in 62.4 overs (Shantha Kalavitigoda 48, Mahesh Kumara 23, Heshan Perera 42, Thushira Madanayake 23, Viruksha Marlon 6 for 31, Madura Madushanka 2 for 20)
Navy SC 33 for 4 wickets in 10.3 overs at stumps (Chanura Fernando 2 for 11, Thushira Madanayake 2 for 15)
At Maggona:
Police (Overnight 74-4) 121 all out in 43 overs (Kulunu Kashyapa 22, Supun Nirmala 29, Heshan de Silva 4 for 21, Manoj Deshapriya 3 for 29, Ruwan Perera 2 for 37)
Kalutara TC 41 for 2 wickets in 18 overs at stumps (Prabodha Seneviratne 32n.o.)
At Panadura Esplanade:
Panadura SC (Overnight 67-1) 234 all out in 56.4 overs (Mohamed Shilmy 41, Samith Dushantha 37, Akila Lakshan 29, Vinesh Vimukthi 47, Sanka Dinesh 4 for 77, Pishan Hewage 3 for 66)
Moratuwa SC 74 for 2 wickets in 15 overs at stumps (Anushka Perera 33, Nipuna Gamage 22n.o, Lahiru Sanjaya 2 for 44)