SSC to meet Moors in Premier League final

SAJEEWA JAYAKODY

Kaushal Silva, the wicket-keeper batsman of the Sinhalese Sports Club, topped the leading scorers list in the current Premier League tournament and helped SSC to qualify for the finals against Moors Sports Club to be played at the SSC grounds from April 5 to 7.

The 26-year-old right hander has scored 814 runs in 11 innings with four centuries and two half tons. Former Thomian, who has played three Tests for Sri Lanka, scored 103 boundaries, the highest by any batsman in this season.

During Silva’s 180-run knock, he involved in 209-run partnership for the third wicket with Dimuth Karunaratne (115) and added 195 for the fourth wicket with skipper Thilina Kandamby, who slammed a career best 340 not out in SSC’s huge 787 for 8 declared innings against Tamil Union, which ended as a drawn game yesterday.

SSC led by Thilina Kandamby won seven matches with two drawn matches in their nine encounters.

Strong SSC team has recorded the highest points as they earned 144 ahead of Tamil Union, which secured 129 also with nine wins and two drawn games in Group ‘B’.

SSC: 787/8 dec in 180 overs (Thilina Kandamby 340 n.o, Kaushal Silva 180, Dimuth Karunaratne 115, Upul Jayasena 86, Chanaka Welagedara 4/131, Rangana Herath 4/132)

Tamil Union: 314 in 75 overs (Mahela Udawatte 47, Ashen Silva 47, Kaushalya Lokuarachchi 4/136, Charith Jayampathi 2/40)

Malinda, top wicket taker

Malinda Pushpakumara bagged 11 wickets in Moors SC’s thrilling seven-run win against Panadura Sports Club in another Premier League match, which concluded at Baybrooke Place yesterday.

With this win Moors advanced to the final with their 123 points ahead Panadura SC’s 119.

The slow left arm orthodox bowler leads the bowling list with capturiong 64 wickets.

Former Lumbini College cricketer, 26, has taken seven five wicket hauls and two 10 wicket hauls.

Moors SC topped the Group ‘A’ list beating strong Colts, Ragama CC and Bloomfield.

Moors SC: 240 in 65.2 overs (Harsha Cooray 67, Dilhara Lokuhettige 46, Janaka Gunaratne 33, Gayan Sirisoma 5/41) and 130 in 44.4 overs (Gayan Sirisoma 5/27, Sujeewa de Silva 2/19)

Panadura SC: 120 in 42.4 overs (Malinda Pushpakumara 7/56, Vimukthi Perera 3/28) and 243 in 73.5 overs (Dinesh Cooray 52, Chamara Silva 47, Prasanna Jayawardena 41, Malinda Pushpakumara 4/98, Janaka Gunaratne 3/65, Vimukthi Perera 2/27)