Bloomfield to face tough challenge from NCC today

Chris DHAMBARAGE

The unbeaten Bloomfield team will face a tough challenge when they confront the defending champions NCC in a key Premier limited overs cricket tournament Tier ‘A’ match at Reid Avenue today.

Bloomfield are currently placed on top of the points table and have remained as the only unbeaten side at the completion of the first three matches of the tournament.

They started off with a smashing 87 run victory over Colts CC and then followed up by recording convincing victories against Moors SC and Tamil Union respectively. But this time they are certain to receive stiff resistance against a better line up and should be under some kind of pressure.

NCC of course have made a disappointing start to their campaign but will be determined to produce an improved performance this weekend. They are currently occupying the last place in the points table but that does not give a clear indication of their true capabilities.

The cynosure of all eyes will be on Bloomfield’s dashing middle order batsman Tillekeratne Dilshan who is in tremendous form having scored a trail blazing 188 runs in the opening fixture followed by two sparkling half centuries.

NCC made a winning start in their attempt to retain the title for the second successive year by overcoming Tamil Union but thereafter they suffered two shock defeats at the hands of Colts CC and Moors SC. The batting seem to have let them down and this time they will be hoping for an improved performance.

SSC will also have a tough assignment as they are up against the giant killers Moors SC in their Premier limited overs tournament Tier ‘A’ match at Maitland Place today.

Moors SC have already created a major upset by overcoming the defending champions NCC by 116 runs on their home grounds at Braybrooke Place last week. They even came closer of recording another upset win against CCC where they reduced their opponents to 98 for 8 before going down fighting.

The two key players in the Moors SC line up are all rounder Anil Rideegammanagedera and leg spinner Rangana Herath who played a major role in their success against NCC. In contrast SSC will be going into this game at the backdrop of two shock defeats against Baduraliya SC and Chilaw Marians SC respectively.

SSC will be banking heavily on two of their senior players Thilina Kandamby and Kaushal Silva who made a fine impact in the three day tour match against the touring England team while scoring an unbeaten century and half century respectively.

Former champions Colts CC will take on Chilaw Marians SC in another crucial Premier limited overs tournament Tier ‘A’ match at Havelock Park today. This game should turn out to be a close contest as both teams have registered two victories each so far from three outings in the tournament.

Colts CC have made a fine comeback after their heavy defeat at the hands of Bloomfield in their opening fixture and now they are in a position from where they could press for a semifinal berth. Colts CC’s strength has been their top order batting where players in the calibre of Malintha Warnapura, Jeewantha Kulatunga and Shantha Kalawitigoda have been outstanding.

Chilaw Marians SC of course will be quite confident having defeated SSC by two wickets in one of the most exciting games played so far in the tournament.

The team is studded with a number of good all rounders who could play a leading role in both batting and bowling. The star player in their line up will be former Sri Lanka cap Hasantha Fernando who stroked a brilliant 117 not out in their game against SSC last week.

Ragama CC will have another chance to consolidate their position when they take on Tamil Union at Havelock Park while CCC will be up against Baduraliya SC at Maitland Crescent in another encounter.