Thilan, Kaushal help SSC to final

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Two fighting half centuries from skipper Kaushal Silva and Thilan Samaraweera carried SSC into the final with a five wicket victory over the traditional rivals NCC in the SLC Premier limited overs cricket tournament Tier ‘A’ first semifinal worked off under lights at the R. Premadasa stadium yesterday.

Silva and Samaraweera figured in a fourth wicket stand of 80 runs as SSC overtook NCC’s total of 220 for 9 with eight deliveries to spare. Thilina Kandamby and all rounder Kaushal Lokuarachchi then added the finishing touches with an unfinished sixth wicket stand of 38 runs.

But it was Kaushal Silva who played a true captains innings of 65 runs from 96 deliveries with the help of nine boundaries to turn the game while Samaraweera completed another typical half century from 81 balls inclusive of five boundaries.

NCC of course struck early through speed star Lasith Malinga who struck twice during a hostile opening spell. However Kaushal Silva and Samaraweera got their act together well and turned the game in their favor with a solid partnership. Earlier NCC recovered from an early setback to post a competitive 220 for 9 from their 50 overs after skipper Upul Tharanga had won the toss and elected to bat first.

However that decision certainly back fired as NCC lost both openers within the first seven deliveries of the innings. The two opening bowlers Nuwan Zoysa and Dilhara Fernando exploited the early seaming conditions to good effect while claiming a wicket each.

Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara and Chamara Kapugedera then repaired the early damage to a certain extent while adding 56 useful runs for the second wicket.

But when they were shaping up well to make a big score Zoysa and Fernando struck once again to leave NCC struggling at 73 for 5 at one stage. Sangakkara had four boundaries while Kapugedera stroked six boundaries.

Former Sri Lanka all rounder Farveez Maharoof then grabbed the opportunity to make an impact with the bat as he hammered an elegant 59 from 93 deliveries inclusive of one six and four boundaries.

Maharoof was also associated in a crucial seventh wicket partnership of 65 runs with Kosala Kulasekera. The NCC innings then gathered further momentum during the latter stages with former Sri Lanka youth player Angelo Perera smashing a 30 ball 34 not out with the help of two sixes and two boundaries.

Perera also put on 41 runs for the eighth wicket along with all rounder Chatura Peiris who struck three boundaries during his knock of 19.

NCC: 220 for 9 in 50 overs (K. Sangakkara 26, C. Kapugedera 37, F. Maharoof 59, K. Kulasekera 21, A. Perera 34 n.o, C. Peiris 19, N. Zoysa 2 for 33, D. Fernando 3 for 47).

SSC: 221 for 5 in 48.4 overs (T. Paranavithana 25, K. Silva 65, T. Samaraweera 53, T. Kandamby 30 n.o, K. Lokuarachchi 21 n.o, L. Malinga 2 for 38, F. Maharoof 2 for 40).