Achira, Akila and Lasantha steer Air Force

Heroic performances by Achira Eranga, Akila Isanka and Lasantha Manoj saw Air Force turn the tables against Lankan CC at the end of the second day’s play in their Under 23 Division Two cricket final at BRC ground yesterday.

The Airmen were in dire straits at the end of the second session of play on 133 for 6 in reply to Lankan CC’s 232. Then came the rescue act by the trio as two invaluable partnerships first for the ninth wicket of 48 runs between Achira Eranga and Akila Isanka and the other which was the most productive of 67 runs for the last wicket between Eranga and Lasantha Manoj which helped the side to make 268.

Lankan CC batting the second time were 51 for no loss. Today is the final day of the match and the Airmen have virtually assured themselves of lifting the title unless something dramatic takes place.

Lankan CC 232 in 58.2 overs (Dhanushka de Saram 76, Praneeth Shamitha 49, Lakmal Perera 27, Dasun Ariyasinghe 16, Iresh Pushpakumara 17 n.o.; Lasantha Manoj 5 for 49, Dinesh de Silva 3 for 63) and 51 for no loss (Shashika Maduranga 24 n.o., Raju Gayashan 21 n.o.)

Air Force (6/0 o’night) 268 (Gayan Jayasundara 34, Akila Isanka 38, Chamil Wijewardena 31, Lasantha Manoj 16, Lakshika Jayasuriya 15, Achira Eranga 61 n.o.; Iresh Pushpakumara 3 for 76, Milan Hettiarachchi 2 for 55)-MSA