SSC and Lankan CC battle for Under-23 supremacy today
Lankan CC celebrate their win over Colts CC in the semi finals
The curtains of the postponed Under-23 Major Club Youth limited over cricket tournament will come down today with the clash for supremacy between SSC and Lankan CC scheduled to be worked off at the SSC.
The tournament came to a standstill in March last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and resumed only on February 26 with the two semifinals that was played at the NCC and P. Sara Stadium.
The two semifinal encounters played saw SSC and Lankan CC coming out victorious against Badureliya CC and Colts CC to book the two berths in the final.
SSC spearheaded by Sammu Ashan outclassed Badureliya CC by ten wickets thanks to a five-wicket haul by Dilum Tilekeratne whose 5 for 27 helped them bowl out Badureliya CC for a paltry 93 runs. Sri Lanka youth skipper Nipun Dhananjaya hit an unbeaten half ton coming and shared an unbroken 95-run stand with Sohan de Livera to ease past the target.
Lankan CC on the other hand led by Damith Silva pulled off a stunning three-wicket win over the strong Colts CC outfit thanks to useful knocks coming from the skipper, Vishwa Chathuranga, Kasun Abeyratne and Funith Wellalage to carve a victory with 13 balls to spare.
In the final showdown today, SSC come into the game as favourites due to the fact that they possess some of talented young players in the side in the likes of skipper Sammu, Nipun Dhananjaya, Lakshitha Manasinghe, Sohan de Livera, Krishan Sanjula, Nuwanindu Fernando, Kalana Perera, Himesh Ramanayake, Dilum Karunaratne, Kavindu Nadeeshan and Chamindu Wickramasinghe.
SSC will for sure be looking for a repeat from their openers Nipun and Sohan and down in the batting order they have players who could be a thorn in the flesh for the Lankan CC bowlers.
The bowling department will be spearheaded by Kalana with Himesh, Dilum, Chaminda, Kavindu and Lakshitha to support and prevent the Lankan CC batsmen making any headway.
On the other hand, Lankan CC will depend on the batting of Vishwa, skipper Damith, Sawan Prabash. Kevin Perera, Kasun Abeyratne, Lahiru Dilshan, Dunith Wellalage and Methsith Jayamanne.
Yasiru Rodrigo who claimed four wickets in the semifinal against Colts CC will spearhead the bowling department, supported by Lahiru Dilshan and Dunith Wellalage to curtail the strong SSC batting.
However, SSC cannot sit on their laurels despite pulling off a convincing win over Badureliya CC as Lankan CC showed their capabilities and proved that they are not going to be easy nuts to crack. No doubt the supporters of both sides can look forward to a close tussle.