NCC, Chilaw Marians clash for U-23 title

Chris Dhambarage

NCC will be looking to retain the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Under 23 title for the third successive year when they take on Chilaw Marians Cricket Club in the final encounter of the Division One tournament at the SSC grounds starting today. (Friday)

NCC clinched the Under 23 title last year under the captaincy of Demintha Dahanayake and in the 2008 season also they won the title under the leadership of Damith Mapa. On both occasions they had the better of their arch rivals SSC in the final.

This time however NCC will be under pressure having lost on the first innings against Chilaw Marians CC during a preliminary round fixture worked off at Maitland Place.

In fact Chilaw Marians CC will have a psychological advantage as they piled up a massive 407 for 7 in that match in their first innings. In reply NCC managed to score only 209 runs in the first innings and following on they reached 251 for 4 in the second innings.

Even then NCC bounced back well by rattling up a huge 476 in their first innings in the important semifinal match against the Colts CC at Maitland Crescent last week. Chilaw Marians CC also put up a similar performance by scoring 402 runs in their semifinal fixture against the Tamil Union played at Havelock Park.

However Chilaw Marians CC managed to enter the final on bonus points by virtue of having recorded more outright victories than their opponents during the preliminary round. In fact Chilaw Marians CC had three outright victories in the tournament and their only setback was the shock first innings defeat against Moors SC.

Chilaw Marians CC last won the SLC Under 23 title in 2007 under the captaincy of Isuru Perera having also emerged champions in 2002, 2004 and 2006 respectively. This time they are hoping to regain the title after a lapse of three years under the leadership of Umesh Karunaratne who is their leading wicket taker of the side.

The right arm off spinner has captured a total of 44 wickets from seven outings and at an average of 15.43 including a best haul of six wickets for 31. Another off spinner and former Sri Lanka under 19 player Madhuka Liyanapathirana is another consistent wicket taker with 22 wickets to his credit. Leg spinner Geeth Alwis (14 wickets) and fast bowler Arosha Janoda (10 wickets) are the other two leading bowlers in the lineup.

The Chilaw Marians CC batting will be spearheaded by left hander Geeth Alwis who has scored 441 runs from seven outings including four half centuries. He will be supported by the two centurions Buddhi Samarawickrema and skipper Umesh Karunaratne.

NCC captain Roshan Laksiri is also in tremendous form having captured 29 wickets from seven outings and at an average of 21.2. However Roshan Wijenayake is their most successful bowler in the tournament with a tally of 35 wickets from seven matches and at an average of 16.22. The NCC batting of course will revolve around former Sri Lanka youth cap Angelo Perera who has 715 runs under his belt including two hundreds and six half centuries.

The elegant middle order batsman has a top score of 184 and a splendid average of 79.44. Sri Lanka under 19 captain Chatura Peiris is another centurion in the side having hit a career best 193 runs in the vital semifinal match against the Colts CC at Maitland Crescent last week.

Kavinda Hettihewa (439 runs), Sashrika Pussegolla (374 runs) and Dinesh Chandimal are also in good form having made a century each in the tournament. However wicket keeper batsman Chandimal will not be available as he will be on national duty with the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team.