Tamil Union get a chance of moving upto the top of the table

Chris Dhambarage

Tamil Union will have a great opportunity of moving upto the top of the points table when they confront Baduraliya CC in their SLC Premier limited overs tournament Tier A match at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium today.

Tamil Union are currently trailing by a solitary point from the table leaders Bloomfield who are enjoying a week of rest after having played four matches.

The team from Wanathamulla is now in with a good opportunity to move further up and strengthen their position in the competition which has reached its half way stage.

In fact Tamil Union have had a fare amount of success in the shorter version of the game unlike in the Premier League three day tournament where they have struggled a bit and are still searching for their first outright victory.

However the team has adjusted well into the limited overs game and will be determined to register their fourth victory of the tournament from five outings with one no decision.

They should have no difficulties in overcoming Baduraliya CC whom they defeated on the first innings quite convincingly on Sunday at the same venue.

The Tamil Union batting will be spearheaded by veteran opener Sajith Fernando with Lanka de Silva, Ashan Priyanjan, Jeewan Mendis and skipper Muthumudalige Pushpakumara among the runs.

Colts CC v CCC

Meanwhile CCC will be out to avenge last week›s defeat in the three day fixture when they take on Colts CC in another SLC Premier limited overs tournament match at Havelock Park today.

CCC are still recovering from their innings defeat on Sunday and will be hoping to produce an improved performance in this important outing. The team from Maitland Crescent is among the top contenders for the title with two good victories under their belt from four outings.

However this time they are certain to receive some stiff opposition with Colts CC also making a desperate attempt to make an impact in the limited overs game.

The club from Havelock Park is currently on top in the Premier League tournament and they will like to carry that same form into the one day game as well.

They will certainly take the field with a psychological edge over their opponents and will be determined to keep the pressure on after their splendid performance with the ball where they dismissed the opposition for 133 and 215 in the two innings respectively.

This will also be the last outing for the Sri Lankan players to make their presence felt in the domestic scene before leaving for Bangladesh on Friday.

Michael van Dort, Jehan Mubarak and Chamara Kapugedera are three players who will be keen to get a big score and boost their morale.

NCC v SSC

Two equally good teams and the traditional rivals SSC and NCC will clash in another important SLC Premier limited overs encounter at Maitland Place today.

Both teams have experienced mixed fortunes in this tournament but are still in contention for the title having notched up two victories each.

SSC of course will have a slight edge over their opponents after having had the better of the exchanges in the Premier League game on Sunday.

The SSC batting will need to fire all cylinders if they are to challenge the formidable NCC line up that also includes some of the to stroke makers in the scene.

In fact dashing opener Upul Tharanga returned to form with a magnificent century in the second innings of their three day game and will be looking to continue the same form.

The major setback for the SSC team has been the inconsistency of their top order batsmen where even some of their more established players have struggled for runs.

As a result the middle order has been under tremendous pressure in almost every outing and the bowlers too have been forced to make some contributions. Last week of course they managed to get pass the three hundred run mark with Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena leading the way. He will be looking for a repeat performance along with Kaushal Lokuarachchi and Kaushal Silva.

Chilaw Marians SC v Ragama CC

Chilaw Marians SC will be looking to consolidate their position when they take on Ragama CC in their SLC Premier limited overs encounter at the CCC grounds in Maitland Crescent today.

Chilaw Marians SC are very much in contention for the title having already recorded two impressive victories from four outings including one no decision.

But the fact is that another victory for them could make a huge impact on the tournament where at least five teams will be in the running for top honours.

No doubt they will be somewhat demoralized after having lost to the same opposition on the first innings in their Premier League three day match on Sunday.

However Chilaw Marians SC are well aware of their position in the points table and they are capable of adjusting themselves according to the situation.

Dashing opener Mahela Udawatte will have another chance to prove his potential after having been left out of the Sri Lanka squad for the Triangular Series in Bangladesh.

In contrast Ragama CC are still searching for their first victory of the tournament from four outings.

They have had a bad run in the shorter version of the game unlike in the Premier League three day Championship where they are placed second in the latest points table.

Moors SC v Army SC

Moors Sports Club are tipped to register their second victory when they take on Sri Lanka Army Sports Club in another SLC Premier limited overs tournament match at Braybrooke Place today.

Moors SC are fresh after their fantastic outright win against the same opposition in the Premier League three day Tournament at Panagoda on Sunday.

This time they will be looking to extend their dominance in the one day tournament as well with most of their key players in good form.

Among them the contribution of all rounder Rangana Herath has been exceptional and he will be looking to produce another match winning performance before leaving for Bangladesh on Friday.

The card: Tamil Union v Baduraliya CC at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium, Chilaw Marians SC v Ragama CC at Maitland Crescent, Colts CC v CCC at Havelock Park, Moors SC v Army SC at Braybrooke Place, NCC v SSC at Maitland Place.