Weather likely to hamper semis today

Chris DHAMBARAGE

The unpredictable weather is likely to have a major impact on the final outcome of the SLC Premier limited overs Tier 'A' cricket tournament semifinal matches which will be worked off in Colombo today.

The table leaders Tamil Union will take on a depleted SSC outfit at Maitland Place while Chilaw Marians SC will be up against Colts CC at the P. Saravanamuttu Oval.

However bad weather is certain to intervene both matches as well as the final encounter which is scheduled for Sunday at the SSC grounds in Maitland Place.

In case there is a no decision in both matches, Tamil Union and Chilaw Marians SC will automatically qualify to play in the final by virtue of finishing number one and second respectively in the final points table.

Even then Chilaw Marians SC and Colts CC will figure in a grudge battle having done all the hard work in the preliminary round matches. Colts CC of course will have a psychological advantage having defeated Chilaw Marians SC earlier in a league tournament fixture.

Chilaw Marians SC will be fielding a combination of youth and experience captained by former Sri Lanka opening batsman Mahela Udawatte. He will spearhead a formidable batting line up which also includes Amal Athulathmudali, Milinda Siriwardena, Gayan Wijekoon and Chinthaka Perera.

In the bowling department they will be banking on 23 year old right arm fast bowler Shaminda Eranga who has reported to have touched the 140 km mark in the recent past.

The former schoolboy from St. Mary's College is a product of the SLC Fast Bowling Unit headed by Anusha Samaranayake and is set make a huge impact in this vital encounter.

Chilaw Marians SC will also have the services of two veterans Dinuk Hettiarachchi and Janaka Gunaratne and the leg spin of Nimesh Perera. The club is also looking for their 23rd appearance in a major tournament final which is a tremendous achievement for an outstation team.

Meanwhile Tamil Union will start strong favourites to enter the final when they take on the SSC at Maitland Place. Captained by opening batsman Sajith Fernando they will be determined to maintain their impressive record where they topped the points table with nine victories from their eleven outings.

Tamil Union will be minus elegant middle order batsman Ashan Priyanjan who is currently in New Zealand with the Sri Lanka Academy team and all rounder Gihan Rupasinghe who has been ruled out with an injury.

However Tamil Union have enough replacements with them in addition to the regular players Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, Isuru Udana, Suranga Lakmal, Sachithra Serasinghe and Jeevan Mendis all who have represented the Sri Lanka 'A' team.