Dimuth scores second successive century

SAJEEWA JAYAKODY

SSC and Sri Lanka Test opener Dimuth Karunaratne scored his second successive century as SSC made 216 runs for 1 wicket against arch rivals NCC in the Premier League match started at SSC yesterday.

Karunaratne, who hit a century in the last match against Badureliya, made his second ton in 185 balls with 13 fours and a six.

The stylish left hander laid a solid 182-run opening partnership with Tharanga Paranavithana, who scored 70. Karunaratne has scored 319 runs with a 159.50 average including two centuries and a half ton in the three matches so far.

Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena was padded on to bat in the rain-curtailed first day and all other matches were hit by bad weather conditions.

SSC: 216/1 in 54 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 109 n.o, Tharanga Paranavithana 70)

Lakmal wrecks Galle

Test discard Tamil Union fast bowler Suranga Lakmal picked up a five wicket haul against Galle Cricket Club in their Premier League match, which started at Galle Stadium yesterday.

Twenty-five-year-old Lakmal, who captured a five wicket haul against CCC last week, continued his fine form capturing five for 21 as Galle CC were bowled out for a pathetic 137.

Lakmal played in the Sydney Test and bowled really well being unlucky not to capture wickets and so far the right arm fast bowler has 13 wickets in five innings in the current domestic tournament.

Galle CC: 137 in 44.3 overs (Kaushalya Gajasinghe 38, Chathura Vithanage 30, Suranga Lakmal 5/21, Shaminda Eranga 3/29)

Tamil Union: 28/1 in 9 overs

Mendis takes six for 65

Army Sports Club’s Ajantha Mendis demolished Lankan Cricket Club as they lost seven wickets for 197 in the first day of their Premier League match played at Panagoda yesterday.

Twenty-27-year-old Test bowler Mendis took six for 65 and became the leading wicket taker in the Premier League Tournament so far with 21 wickets in five innings with an average of 11.61.

Lankan CC: 197/7 in 42.3 overs (Sachithra Perera 39 n.o, Rajeeva Weerasinghe 33 n.o, Greg Smith 33, Deshan Dias 30, Ajantha Mendis 6/65).

Prasanna - a fighting knock

Sri Lanka’s Test wicket-keeper batsman Prasanna Jayawardena responded well with a fighting knock against Panadura Sports Club in the match played at Panadura yesterday.

Jayawardena hit 77 runs in a fighting knock after the 33-year-old was overlooked for the forthcoming Bangladesh Test series. Bloomfield fast bowler Imran Khan took five wickets for 65.

Panadura SC: 214 in 48 overs (Prasanna Jayawardena 77, Chandra Aravinda 31, Charitha Buddhika 28, Tharindu Thushara 22, Imran Khan 5/65, Suraj Randiv 3/52, Chathura Randunu 2/46).

Bloomfield: 8/0 in 2 overs

Lone warrior Angelo

Sri Lanka’s new Test captain Angelo Mathews played a lone innings in the Colts SC’s 149 runs against Moors Sports Club in their Premier match played at Colts grounds yesterday.

Batting all-rounder Dilhara Lokuhettige picked up a five wicket haul for Moors as the right arm fast bowler ended his figures as five for 45.

Colts: 149 in 49.1 overs (Angelo Mathews 63, Shihan Kamileen 20, Dilhara Lokuhettige 5/45, Vimukthi Perera 3/30, Malinda Pushpakumara 2/43).

Moors: 16/0 in 4 overs

Dilshan and Roscoe prop up BRC

Dilshan Vitharana (70) and Roscoe Thattil (57) helped BRC to score 268 for 7 against Ragama Cricket Club in their Premier League match started at BRC yesterday.

Leg-spinner Malinga Bandara had three wickets for 47 for Ragama CC.

BRC: 268/6 in 68.3 overs (Dilshan Vitharana 70, Roscoe Thattil 57, Gihan Dilruk 48 n.o, Malith Cooray 36 n.o, Hashan Gunatilleke 28, Malinga Bandara 3/47).

Maduka claims 5 for 29

Maduka Liyanapathiranage (5/29) did the damage for Kurunegala Youth Sports Club as the home team colllapsed for 213 against Moors SC in their match played at Welagedara Stadium yesterday.

Kurunegala Youth: 213 in 67 overs (Saman Priyanthaka 52, Mohomed Safras 35, Noor-ul-Haq 26, Chamikara Edirisinghe 25, Maduka Liyanapathiranage 5/29, Dinuka Hettiarachchi 2/58).

CCC: 55/2 in 17 overs (Roy Silva 22, Sameen Kandanaarachchi 20 n.o).

At Kalutara - Navy vs Badureliya

Sri Lanka Navy SC: 124/5 in 50.2 overs (Rayas Christopher 41, Buddhika Hasaranga 36, Alankara Silva 2/35).

At Colombo Riffle - Saracens vs SL Air Force

Saracens: 171/9 in 49.1 overs (Mohomed Aslam 44, Sanjaya Chathuranga 28, Lasith Abeyratne 26, Asiri Karunaratne 4/54, Akila Isanka 2/45).

At Moors - Chilaw Marians vs Sri Lanka Ports Authority

Chilaw Marians: 66/0 in 14 overs (Sachith Pathirana 33 n.o, Nuwan Kavinda 22).