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Bloomfield-Colts CC final - a battle of attrition
By Bernie Wijesekera
Bloomfield C and AC, last year's losing finalists to Moors SC, has entered the final again. They take on Colts CC in the three-day final starting on 27 and 28 at the SSC grounds, Maitland Place.

In the preliminary round the two-century old clubs clashed at Havelock Park. Bloomfield nudged Colts on the first innings Colts made 345 with Sajit Fernando contributing a sterling 103. Sajit, has been performing well as an allrounder. Bloomfield in reply helped by a stroke filled 123 by Sanath Jayasuriya and an outstanding allround effort by skipper Kumar Dharmasena 74 and 3 for 66 and wily left-arm spin bowling by Shanuka Dissanayake steered them to victory.

For next week-end's final both teams will be geared to give of their best. They will be at full strength. The Colts CC did well to thrash SSC under three days in the year 2001 final played at Maitland Place. The "Park Club" will led by Jeewantha Kulatunga, a sedate batsman, are a well-knit side. "Work-Horse" Chaminda Vaas-a bundle of energy. Vaas has the ability to bat with confident. Romesh Kaluwitharana-the little dynamo supported by two allrounders Sajit Fernando and Pushpakumara, Dulip Samaraweera, Niroshan Bandaratilleke, Dulip Liyanage and Eric Upashantha from the nucleus of the side.

According to former Sri Lanka fast bowler S. Illangaratnam, who is coaching Bloomfield, said that they were determined to reverse last year's setback when they lost the final by one to Moors SC wicket in a thrilling contest.

The segment 'A' Premier trophy final-the 'Bloomfield Riband' of club cricket should turn out to be a keen contest, between two well-matched teams. The Reid Avenue Club team is a blend of youth and experience Udara Waruna, the under 23 fast bowler, will be joined by Dharshana Gamage, and allrounder, Kaushal Weeraratne promising opener Tharaka Gunaratne and under 19 peterite 'keeper Gihan Silva will be behind the sticks. For this final the team sans Ian Daniel, Kandambi and wesleyite allrounder Faiz Mahroof (all on tour with the Sri Lanka 'A' team in India for a tri-nation tournament between Pakistan and India. The side will miss the service of hard-hitting Saman Jayanath, too.

T.M. Dilshan who made his first 100 against England, Indika de Saram along with Jayasuriya and Dharmasena, Weeraratne supported by the lower order could prop the batting. The return of leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi, to the side will add variety to the attack. Whoever wins is secondary, but it should churn out exciting cricket to the fans, in this year ending (2003), epoch making final.

The probable teams Colts-Jeewanth Kulatunga (Capt.), Chaminda Vaas, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Nirmal Wickremaratne, Sudesh Liyanage, M. Pushpakumara, Dulip Liyanage, Sajit Fernando, Chaminda Mendis, Eric Upasantha Premadasa, Dulip Samaraweera, Niroshan Bandaratilleke Coach Manoj Abeywickrema. Bloomfield - Kumar Dharmasena (Capt.) S. Jayasuriya, T.M. Dilshan, K. Weeraratne, D. Gamage, Udara Waruna, Tharaka Gunaratne, Indika de Saram, S. Dissanayake, K. Lokuarachchi, Gihan Silva.

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