The Sunday Times Sports - Marians and SSC in line for honours

Chilaw Marians put themselves on top against NCC at the end of the second day’s play in their Under-23 Division One cricket tournament semi final played at the Colts grounds yesterday.

NCC fell into further trouble when they lost three wickets for the addition of just 11 runs sliding to 149 for 7. But after lunch the innings did not last long as they folded up for 194. Right arm spinner Hadlee Jayawardena did most of the damage capturing four scalps with support coming from Charith Keerthisinghe.

With a first innings lead of 21 runs the Marians have put themselves in line of advancing to the finals but then the last day’s play will be crucial for both the teams.

With the Marians batting the second time and ending the day on 140 for 6 they will have to hold on as much as possible to set a challenging target to their opponents.

Chilaw Marians 215 in 59 overs (Suresh Niroshan 56, Harsha Cooray 46, Dhaunshka Malinga 41, Mahela Udawatte 17.; Tharindu Fernando 3 for 47, Demintha Dahanayake 2 for 19, Chanaka Komasaru 2 for 41) and 140 for 6 in 47 overs (Mahela Udawatte 42, Lassana Perera 38, Harsha Cooray 16, Suresh Niroshan 15.; Tharaka Kottehewa 2 for 26, Chanaka Komasaru 2 for 28)

NCC (124/3 o’night) 194 in 79.3 overs (Sahan Wijeratne 54, U.K.D. Aravinda 32, Demintha Dahanayake 20, Upul Tharanga 21, Jeremy Saverymuthupulle 25, Udara Waruna 17.;Hadlee Jayawardena 4 for 51, Charith Keerthisinghe 3 for 25)

SSC in control at Sara Stadium

SSC took control in the other semi final against Colts by ending in a strong position at 107 for 3 in quest of a target of 147 for victory when play ended on day two at the P. Sara Stadium yesterday.

On the first day Colts having been bundled out for a meagre 113 struck back to capture seven SSC wickets for 70. The second day’s play yesterday saw the bowlers dominate proceedings again with SSC from their overnight score of 70 for 7 lasting only 4.3 overs as they were bundled out for 88.

When play begins today it is only a matter of time as SSC need just 40 runs to advance to the final.

Colts 113 in 49 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 38, Angelo Mathew38.; Dunil Abeydeera 4 for 30, Manjula Silva 3 for 25, Suraj Mohamed 2 for 15) and 121 in 56 overs (Madhawa Warnapura 26, Arosh Janodha 16, Kushal Janitha 15.; Shalika Karunanayake 4 for 22, Dunil Abeydeera 4 for 23, Charith Jayaweera 2 for 16)

SSC (70/7 o’night) 88 in 39.3 overs (Suraj Mohamed 16, Janudika Sriyapala 16; Arosh Janodha 3 for 26, Kanishka Amarasinghe 2 for 9, Malinda Pushpakumara 2 for 17) and 107 for 3 in 27 overs (Dilhan Cooray 49, Hans Fernando 44 n.o.)