Hashan (103 n.o) helps NCC pile up 368/7

Chris Dhambarage

Middle order batsman Hashan Gunatilleke hit an unbeaten century to help NCC reach an impressive 368 for 7 in their first innings on the opening day of their SLC under 23 division one inter club tournament final match against SSC which commenced at the SSC grounds in Maitland Place yesterday.

Gunatilleke played the sheet anchor role and held the NCC batting together while stroking 13 boundaries during his unbeaten knock of 103 which came from 197 deliveries after they had being put into bat.

NCC of course received a good start to their innings with the openers Demintha Dahanayake and Rajith Mendis putting on 76 runs. In fact Dahanayake went on to make a splendid 82 from 102 deliveries with the help of 13 boundaries.

Hashan Gunatilleke then consolidated their position with a tremendous batting performance while occupying the crease during the last two sessions of the game despite a great amount of pressure.

The major threat certainly came from the spinners Milan Fernando and Danushka Colombage with both really making run scoring difficult. In fact Fernando went on to take the bowling honours for SSC while claiming a four wickets haul during his marathon spell of 37 overs.

However Hashan Gunatilleke managed to win the battle as he steered NCC towards a commanding position with good support coming from Eranga Gangoda and Sandun Dias.

Gangoda made a useful contribution of 53 with the aid of seven boundaries while all rounder Dias struck 46 inclusive of eight boundaries. Gunatilleke put on 93 runs for the sixth wicket along with Gangoda and a further 69 runs for the seventh wicket together with Sandun Dias.