Colts Cricket Club, led by Dhananjaya Lakshan, moved to the top of the points table with one match to spare in the Major Club Three Day League Super Eight tournament. Moors Sports Club climbed to second place after their drawn match against Police SC last weekend.
Colts recorded a first innings victory over BRC at the NCC Grounds. Experienced middle order batter Angelo Mathews showed his class once again, scoring 144 off 212 balls with 16 fours. He received strong support from Dinesh Chandimal, who made a quick 67 off 68 balls, while wicketkeeper Sukitha Manoj contributed 53 runs. Colts posted a solid total of 463.
BRC replied with 350, giving Colts a first innings lead of 113 runs. This advantage secured the win and lifted Colts to the top of the table with 61.765 points. Colts will play their final match against NCC tomorrow (27) at Pallekele Stadium in what is expected to be a closely contested game.
Moors SC narrowly missed a first innings win against Police SC but still earned 55.635 points to move into second place. They will face CCC in their final match tomorrow at R Premadasa Stadium.
The highlight for Moors SC was Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who scored an unbeaten 204. This was his fourth double century in first class cricket. All rounder Milan Ratnayake also impressed with his maiden first class century, scoring 136 off 187 balls with 15 fours and 3 sixes.
For Police SC, leg spinner Dilum Sudeera delivered another strong performance, taking 5 wickets for 170 runs. He is the leading wicket taker in the tournament with 53 wickets and best figures of 6 for 91. He has recorded three four wicket hauls and six five wicket hauls.
Colts off spinner Akila Dananjaya is second on the list with 50 wickets, including the best bowling figures of the tournament, 7 for 39. Ace Capital CC leg spinner Wanuja Sahan has also performed well, taking 49 wickets with best figures of 5 for 43.
In the batting rankings, Police SC captain Ashen Bandara leads with 782 runs in 9 matches, including a highest score of 200. He has scored three centuries and three half centuries while maintaining an average of 55.38. Ace Capital CC’s Pawantha Weerasinghe is second with 769 runs, including two centuries.
Kasun Vidura of Chilaw Marians CC follows with 762 runs, while NCC opener Lahiru Udara has scored 714 runs, including the highest individual score of the tournament, 261. Colts’ Dinesh Chandimal has also been consistent, scoring 705 runs in 8 matches with two centuries and three fifties.
Other notable batters include Dilshan de Soyza of Baduraliya SC with 698 runs, Tamil Union’s Sharujan Shanmuganathan with 663 runs, and Moors SC’s Pasindu Sooriyabandara with 634 runs.
The final round of Super Eight matches will be played tomorrow, after which the tournament champion will be decided.Fixtures (Tomorrow)
Ace Capital CC vs Police SC at NCC Grounds, Moors SC vs CCC at R Premadasa Stadium, NCC vs Colts CC at Pallekele Stadium, BRC vs Bloomfield at Galle.
(Courtesy Ceylon Daily News)