Malinga Bandara proves a point

By M. Shamil Amit

Talented right arm spinner Malinga Bandara who was kept as a passenger in the ICC tournament in India proved the so called pundits wrong when he proved his worth by taking 5 for 47 to help Ragama CC beat Sebastianites and record their first win in the opening encounter of the Premier Limited Over tournament played at the FTZ grounds in Katunayake yesterday. Malinga also went on to bag the man of the match award.

Sebs struggling on 47 for 4 in the 20th over was saved by a fifth wicket stand of 70 runs between Nadeera Nawela and Milinda Siriwardena before ending their innings on 167. Ragama CC in their turn were 98 for 4 in 27,2 overs when rain hampered play but were declared winners on a faster run rate with target when play was stopped being 88.

Sebastianites 167 in 47.3 overs (Nadeera Nawela 49, Milinda Siriwardena 34, Madura Lakmal 21, Dinusha Fernando 19.; Malinga Bandara 5 for 38, Dharshana Gamage 2 for 21)

Ragama CC 98 for 4 in 27.2 overs (Amila Sandaruwan 40, Indika de Saram 19 n.o.)

Panadura-Bloomfield no result

The Premier Limited Over encounter between Panadura SC and Bloomfield concluded at the Panadura Esplanade yesterday ended in a no result. Panadura SC restricted the strong batting line up of Bloomfield who were in dire straits at one point with pace duo Lasantha Hemapriya (playing in his first major first class match) and Suneth Gayan having them in tatters.

The pair combined to send back the top four batsmen including Sanath Jayasuriya who made only 11 and T.M. Dilshan for nought for just 55 runs in the 12th over. Then two partnerships of 38 and 39 for the fifth and the seventh wickets saved the visitors from a total collapse. Only Farveez Maharoof was able to make some headway making a 54 ball knock 35 with three fours.

Panadura SC was unable to take the crease due to heavy rain. The teams share two points each.

Bloomfield 169 in 46 overs (Farveez Maharoof 35, Saman Jayantha 27, Chinthaka Jayasinghe 27, Shanuka Dissanayake 20.; Lasantha Hemapriya 4 for 39, Suneth Gayan 2 for 31) vs Panadura SC

Match called off

NCC and Saracens SC too shared two points when their Premier Limited Over encounter played at the NCC grounds was called off after 18 overs were bowled. NCC 108 for 6 in 18 overs (Russel Arnold 28, Lasith Fernando 21, Ishan Muthaliph 20, Malintha Gajanayake 15.; Ruchira Palliyaguru 2 for 14) vs Saracens

Only five overs

Only five overs were possible in the Premier Limited Over encounter between Moors and Badureliya CC at Braybrooke Place with the latter taking first lease of the wicket making 13 for 4.

Badureliya CC 13 for 4 in 5.1 overs (Chanaka Welagedera 3 for 6) vs Moors