Denuwan and Gayan help Tamil Union amass 395/5

Sajeewa JAYAKODY

A 173-ball century by right-handed middle-order batsman Denuwan Rajakaruna (160) and Gayan Manishan (72) who added 202 runs for the fifth wicket and helped Tamil Union amass 395 runs for five wickets against Sri Lanka Air Force on the first day of their SLC Inter-club Under-23 Cricket semi-final match played at Colts grounds yesterday.

Rajakaruna's 160 runs contained two huge sixes and 21 fours. His partner Gayan Manishan made 72 runs. At the end of the first day, Chathuranga de Silva was unbeaten with another cracking half century in just 46 balls. De Silva hit five fours and two sixes during his brisk innings. T Nadeera captured two wickets for Air Force, after putting Tamil Union into bat.

Sparkling 162 by Shehan

Opening batsman Shehan Jayasuriya smashed 162 runs in just 156 balls as Moors reached 364 runs for the loss of nine wickets at stumps on the first day of their semi-final match against Colts at the SLC Inter-club Under-23 cricket match played at NCC grounds yesterday.

Left-handed Jayasuriya's eye catching innings included 21 fours and one six. Moors innings flourished with a half century by Chamikara Edirisinghe who was unbeaten on 51 by stumps. Akila Dhananjaya, was impressive for Colts yesterday taking a five wicket haul for 111 runs.

Earlier in the day, Colts captain Chathura Peiris captured two wickets for 62 runs after winning the toss.

Tamil Union: 395/5 in 86 overs (Denuwan Rajakaruna 160 n.o, Gayan Manishan 72, Chathuranga de Silva 51 n.o, Sajith Kelumpriya 52, T Nadeera 2/75).

Moors: 364/9 in 83 overs (Shehan Jayasuriya 162, Chamikara Edirisinghe 50

n.o, Ishan Ghouse 43, Chalitha Helambage 38, Imran Raffik 24, Akila

Dhananjaya 5/114, Chathura Peiris 2/62).