Skipper Ramesh guides SSC to finals
SSC skipper Ramesh Mendis has a narrow escape - Pic by Ranjith Perera
An all-round performance by skipper Ramesh Mendis helped SSC to record a five wicket win over traditional rivals NCC in the semi-final encounter of the Under 23 Twenty20 cricket tournament played in the morning session at P. Sara Stadium yesterday.
Ramesh first ended with a four wicket haul and then cracked a quick-fire 74 in just 45 balls that included three boundaries and five sixes. Ramesh was also involved in a valuable partnership of 93 runs in only 63 balls for the fifth wicket with Yohan Mendis who chipped in with 38 when SSC was struggling for runs on 47 for 4 in the seventh over when they were in pursuit of 176 runs helping them to reach the target with five balls to spare.
Earlier in the day, NCC invited to take first lease of the wicket was given a sound start by openers Niroshan Dickwella and Lahiru who together put on 65 runs.
Even though there was no other significant partnership coming in the latter part of the NCC innings they succeeded to end with a challenging score of 175 but it turned out to be insufficient to defend.
