‘Riki’ Wessells gives fine start for NCC

Australian born Matthew ‘Riki’ Wessells hit a top score of 83 from 99 balls with one six and seven fours to help the defending champions NCC beat Tamil Union by four wickets in their SLC Premier Tire ‘A’ limited overs cricket tournament match played at Maitland Place yesterday.

The son of former South Africa and Australia opening batsman Kepler Wessells, struck form in his debut for the Maitland Place Club as NCC reached their target of 233 with one over to spare.

The stylish right hand opening batsman who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Monday got his act together well to compile a matchwinning half century while batting under tremendous pressure.

This was after Tamil Union had posted a competitive score of 233 for 9 from their 50 overs. Lanka de Silva hit a top score of 63 for Tamil Union with useful contributions coming from Muthumudalige Pushpakumara and Ranga Dias.

But NCC had the situation under control with the spinners Tharaka Kottahewa and Suraj Mohamed capturing three wickets each. Opener Riki Wessells then took NCC off to a solid start while Kosala Kulasekera and Akalanka Ganegama added the finishing touches with an unbeaten partnership for the seventh wicket.

Wessells who made his first class debut in 2004 is fresh after a successful season with the Northamptonshire second XI side having scored his maiden first class century against Somerset.

Tamil Union: 233 for 9 in 50 overs (S. Dias 44, L. de Silva 63, M. Pushpakumara 38, R. Dias 25, T. Kottahewa 3 for 50, S. Mohamed 3 for 23)

NCC: 234 for 6 in 49 overs (R. Wessells 83, M. Gajanayake 29, K. Kulasekera 36 n.o, A. Ganegama 22 n.o, R. Dias 2 for 46, G. Sirisoma 2 for 45) C.D.