Premier League Tournament:

Kithruwan ton put Tamil Union in command

Sajeewa Jayakody

Middle order batsman Kithruwan Vithanage put Tamil Union in command, scoring 122 runs when the home team piled up 353 runs against Sri Lanka Ports Authority in their Premier League First Class three-day match started at P Sara Oval yesterday.

The 24-year-old former Royal College batsman batted sensibly hitting 15 fours and two sixes in 134 deliveries. Left handed Vithanage anchored the Tamil Union innings putting on three fine partnerships with skipper Sachithra Serasinghe, Mahela Udawatte and Denuwan Rajakaruna. The 63-run partnership for the fourth wicket between Vithanage and opener Udawatte lifted the Tamil Union, who recovered from three for 44. Udawatte got out for 53 runs and Vithanage had a 100-run stand with captain Serasinghe, who hit 65. He was well-supported by wicket-keeper batsman Denuwan Rajakaruna, who scored 26 runs adding 75 runs for sixth wicket.

Ports Authority faced one over bowled by Sri Lanka’s star spinner Rangana Herath for no loss. It will be a Sri Lanka Test bowling line up delivering tomorrow as Tamil Union comprising Chanaka Welagedara, Suranga Lakmal, Shaminda Eranga with trump card Herath.

Tamil Union: 353 in 86.1 overs (Kithruwan Vithanage 122, Sachithra Serasinghe 65, Mahela Udawatte 53, Wijesiriwardena 3/42, Isuru Udana 3/79, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara 2/69)

Sri Lanka Ports Authority: 0 in 1 over

Dickwella cracks 146

NCC opener Niroshan Dickwella cracked 146 runs against Kurunegala Youth, who were bowled for pathetic 60 runs in their Premier League match played at NCC yesterday. Dickwella, who smashed a century in the limited over final couple of days back, continued his fine form in the season. The 19-year-old left hander had a record 183-run partnership for the first wicket with Upul Tharanga, who scored 85. At stumps, NCC were four for 362 with Angelo Perera (52) and Kosala Kulasekara (29) with an unbeaten 85-run partnership for fifth wicket. Spinner Sohan Boralessa wrecked the Kurunegala Youth capturing six wickets for 13 runs after NCC chose to field.

Kurunegala Youth: 60 in 29.1 overs (DR Mawatte 19, Noor-ul-Haq 18, Sohan Boralessa 6/13, Tharindu Kaushal 2/13, Kosala Kulasekara 2/16).

NCC: 362/4 in 60 overs (Niroshan Dickwella 146, Upul Tharanga 85, Angelo Perera 52 n.o, DS Weerakkody 38, Kosala Kulasekara 29 n.o, CD Edirisinghe 2/86).

Indika, Dilhara guide Moors

Indika de Saram (129) and hard hitting all-rounder Dilhara Lokuhettige had 166-run partnership for the seveth wicket in Moors massive 430 runs for six wickets against Saracens at the Moors grounds yesterday.

Moors: 430/6 in 90 overs (Indika de Saram 129, Dilhara Lokuhettige 101 n.o, Isham Gouse 65, Janaka Gunaratne 61, Shehan Jayasuriya 40, SK Silva 2/51, WS Bandara 2/74).

Weeraratne excels

All-rounder Kaushalya Weeraratne excelled in both bat and ball in the low scoring start against Colts at the Colts grounds yesterday.

The 31-year-old right arm fast bowler picked up three wickets for 38 after Ragama CC’s chosing to field first. Colts were bowled out for 143 runs. Again, Weeraratne, who excelled in the limited over tournament, hit 68-ball 61 runs with six fours and three sixes. At stumps, Ragama were eight for 150. Colts’ teenage spinner Akila Dhananjaya made First Class debut yesterday.

Colts: 143 in 36.2 overs (Sajeewa Weerakoon 31 n.o, Chathuranga Kumara 30, Kaushalya Weeraratne 3/38, Nilanka Premaratne 2/41).

Ragama CC: 150/8 in 47 overs (Kaushalya Weeraratne 61, Sajeewa Weerakoon 2/29, Kanishka Alvitigala 2/40).

SSC in command

SSC were in commanding position (240/2) against Chilaw Marians after bowling out opposition for 142 runs in their Premier League match played at SSC grounds yesterday.

Chilaw Marians’ unusual decision to bat first in the SSC wicket, helped SSC and Amil Prasad removed two wickets within 10 runs using early advantage for the fast bowlers and Marians were bowled out for 142 runs.

SSC opener Dimuth Karunaratne batted superbly and had a 82-run stand for the first wicket with Tharanga Paranavithana, who got out for 49. Deserving wicket-keeper batsman Kaushal Silva and veteran Thilan Samaraweera are at the crease with an unbeaten 66-run partnership for the third wicket.

Chilaw Marians: 142 in 32.5 overs (AS Jayasinghe 67, UK Madushanka 3/33, Sachithra Senanayake 3/35, Amil Prasad 2/44).

SSC: 240/2 in 55 overs (Kaushal Silva 78 n.o, Dimuth Karunaratne 70, Tharanga Paranavithana 49, Thilan Samaraweera 32 n.o, Umesh Karunaratne 1/61, Sachith Pathirana 1/68).