Centurions for SSC Aviskha Fernando (left) and Nipun Dananjaya celebrate their landmarks, Nishan Madushka’s knock of 148 wasn’t enough to see CCC home
By Sa’adi Thawfeeq
In a high scoring semi-final played at the NCC grounds, SSC dethroned defending champions CCC by one run (DLS method) in a nail-biting finish to enter the final of the Major Club 50-over tournament.
In the other semi-final played at the P Sara Oval, Moors SC beat Colts by 51 runs to join SSC in the final which will be played on 11 September at a venue yet to be decided.
Skipper Avishka Fernando’s career best knock of 160 (129 balls, 15 fours, 5 sixes) set the tone for SSC’s challenging total of 336-4 after they choose to bat first. It was Fernando’s 17th hundred at this level and he surpassed his previous highest of 139, and also completed 5000 runs in the process.
A feature of the SSC innings was the double century (202 off 181 balls) stand between Fernando and Nipun Dananjaya who also went onto score a century (101* off 107 balls, 8 fours, 2 sixes). Left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando was CCC’s most successful with figures of 3/57.
CCC took up the challenge and their openers Nishan Madushka (148 off 132 balls, 9 fours, 5 sixes) and Lasith Croospulle (67 off 63 balls, 5 fours, 4 sixes) posted a stand of 129 off 111 balls. CCC had their target revised to 332 off 49 overs when a sharp burst of rain halted play for 25 minutes when they were 81-0 after 10.4 overs.
On resumption Dhananjaya de Silva (58 off 62 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) and Ashen Bandara (37 off 20 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes) kept CCC in the hunt although they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. When it came to the final over CCC required 19.
With four required off the final ball Bandara was run out going for a third which would have tied the match, forcing the match to go into a super-over which may not have been possible as the light had already faded.
For SSC to qualify for the final it has been a fantastic turnaround for them. A year ago, they were relegated to play in Tier B, but they have fought their way up the ladder and are one step away from clinching a Major Club title.
Sohan de Livera and Sithara Gimhan put on a century partnership for Moors SC, Shiran Fernando was the pick of the Moors SC bowlers taking 3/67, Angelo Mathews top-scored for Colts with a run-a-ball 89
Moors SC came up with a splendid all-round performance with both bat and ball to outplay Colts. Half-centuries from Sithara Gimhan (92 off 91 balls, 13 fours, 1 six), Sohan de Livera (59 off 62 balls, 6 fours, 1 six), Sadeera Samarawickrama (64 off 53 balls, 8 fours) and Janishka Perera (59 off 54 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) saw them post a demanding total of 344-7.
Colts could not get their momentum going after losing their first four wickets for 122 in 23 overs where Sangeeth Cooray made 50 off 66 balls (6 fours, 2 sixes). Despite a 98-run stand between Angelo Mathews (89 off 89 balls, 10 fours, 2 sixes) and Muditha Lakshan (52 off 47 balls, 6 fours, 1 six) Colts were always behind the required rate.
The continued fall of wickets didn’t help their cause and they were eventually bowled out for 293 in the 48th over. A combination of seam and spin brought the desired result for Moors SC. Right-arm pacie Shiran Fernando even though expensive was the pick of their bowlers with 3/67.