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By Dinesh Weerawansa

Batsmen had a comfortable time as the two teams batting first in the respective semi-finals of the Premier Super League tournament, notched up respectable first innings scores on the opening day of their matches begun in Colombo yesterday.

Taking the first lease of the wicket at NCC Grounds, Tamil Union made a healthy looking 356 for 8 against SSC. In the other semi-final began at Saravanamuttu Stadium, NCC, put into bat, scored 310 for 8 against Colts CC in their first innings. Both matches passed well beyond 6 pm to complete the required 100 overs to be sent down for the day.

Veteran Test batsman Hashan Tillakaratne once again proved that he is not ready to give up anything easily with another ambitious knock of 88 not out for NCC against a moderate Colts bowling attack. NCC got off to an excellent start with openers Pradeep Hewage (80) and Naweed Nawaz (50) putting on 126 runs in an entertaining first wicket partnership, which frustrated Colts bowlers.

But once the Colts found the break through with the total on 126 for no loss, wickets tumbled at regular intervals. Kumar Sangakkkara (20) and Ruwan Kalpage (26) were not at their best with the willow and let the Colts bowlers to dictate terms. NCC would have completely lost their initiative, if not for that blistering innings of 88 not out by Tillakaratne. He started on a low profile, but his slow and steady progress was once again evident as he hit bowlers to all corners to see NCC pass the three hundred-run mark before the end of the day.

Tillakaratne remained unbeaten at the end to fight it out for some more runs on the second day today with the last two batsmen as NCC resume at their overnight total of 311 for 8 on the second day this morning.

A superb knock 94 by Ruwin Peiris, followed by two unbeaten knocks by dependable Ranga Dias (65 n.o) and Test spinner turned batsman Niroshan Bandaratillake (45 n.o) in an unfinished ninth wicket stand, helped Tamil Union to make a solid 356 for 8 at close on day one of their match against SSC. Ruchira Perera showed great promise in his three-wicket spells but his lone effort could not contain Colts taking the initiative, mainly in the final session during which Dias and Bandaratillake gave a testing time to SSC bowlers.

Colts' challenging first innings total, could still look unsafe with SSC having a galaxy of stroke makers, including Mahela Jayawardena, Avishka Gunawardena and Tilan Samaraweera.

At NCC Grounds: Tamil Union:356 for 8 at close (Ruwin Peiris 94, R. Dias 65 n.o, N. Bandaratillake 46 n.o, Ruchira Perera 3 for 51, Dilhara Fernando 2 for 42). vs. SSC

At Saravanamuttu Stadium: NCC: 311 for 8 at close (H. Tillakaratne 88 n.o, P. Hewage 80, N. Nawaz 50, K. Sangakkara 20, R. Kalpage 26, D. Hettiararchchi 4 for 49, C. Vaas 2 for 41) vs. Colts CC.

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