Dickwella steers SLC Greens to victory

Niroshan Dickwella

By M. Shamil Amit

SLC Greens, thanks to an unbeaten half ton by Niroshan Dickwella, recorded their first win of the ongoing SLC Invitational T20 cricket tournament with a close eight-run win over SLC Reds in the match played at the R Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

SLC Reds in pursuit of 162 runs for victory were able to muster a score of 153 runs.

This was despite being given a sound start by openers Lasith Croospulle and skipper Kusal Mendis, who together put on 66 runs in 53 balls.

Both were however dismissed in quick succession. 

Bhanuka Rajapakse and Kamindu Mendis came to the rescue as the pair shared a valuable 55 runs for the third wicket, but were both dismissed within the space of five runs, the score on 128 for 4 in the 18th over.
Wanindu Hasaranga followed but was unable to make any impression, dismissed cheaply for three runs. 
SLC Reds were left with 25 runs in the last over, and despite a last ditch effort from Sahan Arachchige, fell short by eight runs. 

Earlier in the day, SLC Greens skipper Dasun Shanaka winning the toss and opting to take first lease of the wicket made a score of 161 for 6.

Dickwella scored an unbeaten knock of 76 in 56 balls inclusive of eight boundaries, sharing two brief partnerships of 42 runs for the fourth wicket with skipper Shanaka and 36 runs for the fifth wicket with Dhananjaya Lakshan that laid the foundation for their win.

SLC Greens 161 for 6 in 20 overs (Dasun Shanaka 21, Dhananjaya Lakshan 19, Dinesh Chandimal 15, Niroshan Dickwella 76 n.o.: Asitha Fernando 2 for 32)
SLC Reds 153 for 5 in 20 overs (Bhanuka Rajapakse 34, Lasith Croospulle 31, Kusal Mendis 30, Kamindu Mendis 24, Sahan Arachchige 19 n.o.)