Major Club semis today
The Major Club Limited Over Cricket Tournament, which got underway in late October, has reached the final stages with the two semi-finals scheduled to be played today at two venues around the metropolis.
Four teams — Group ‘A’ table leaders Army SC along with NCC second in same group, Ragama CC and Tamil Union, the top two teams from Group ‘B’ have qualified to clash for the final.
Army SC will play against Tamil Union at Surrey Village in Maggona while Ragama CC and NCC will battle it out at the Army ground in Dombagoda.
In fact, the tournament was hampered by the inclement weather with most matches being abandoned or ending in no results.
From the four teams that qualified to the semi-finals Army SC, led by Thisara Perera, was the most successful team. They ended their quota of 12 matches with six wins against Air Force SC, BRC, Kurunegala YCC, Lankan CC, Nugegoda S&WC and Navy SC, but had their record tarnished when they were defeated by Negombo CC.
Tamil Union, led by Sadeera Samarawickrama, from their matches played chalked up five wins against Sebastianites CC, Chilaw Marians, Colts CC, Galle CC and Saracens but suffered a defeat against Police SC.
Ragama CC, led by Ishan Jayaratne, recorded four wins against Police SC, Saracens SC, Chilaw Marians and Badureliya SC. NCC led by Chathuranga de Silva, too posted four wins against Air Force SC, Kalutara TC, Navy SC and Nugegoda S&WC and featured in a thrilling tie against Negombo CC.
Army SC will no doubt strive to maintain their winning trend and will come into the game with confidence as they posses players in the caliber of skipper Thisara Perera, Ashan Randika, Himasha Liyanage, Asela Gunaratne and Seekkuge Prasanna, from whom they will be depending to make useful contributions.
Tamil Union too posses players in the likes of Navod Paranavithana, skipper Samarawickrama, Santhush Gunatileke, Ranmith Jayasena, Ravindu Fernando and Jeffrey Vandersay to put in the challenge against the strong Army outfit.
The encounter between NCC and Ragama CC is an interesting battle, as the two teams are the champion and runners-up of last year’s edition, and this time out only one could make it to the final.
NCC will no doubt be missing their skipper Angelo Perera, who is on duty in the ongoing T10 tournament in Abu Dhabi. However they have the talent in players like Lahiru Udara, Hasitha Boyagoda, stand-in skipper Chathuranga de Silva, Sahan Arachchige, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Ashian Damiel and Yugeesha Dilshan.
Ragama CC have in their ranks players in the calibre of Nishan Madushka, Dineth Thimodya, Janith Liyanage, Avishka Tharindu, skipper Jayaratne and Janaka Sampath to name a few who will be expected to be at their best in the crucial game.
However the prevailing weather pattern will no doubt play a crucial role at both encounters. The final is scheduled to be played on November 30.