Kusal marks return of domestic cricket with unbeaten century

file photo

Kusal Mendis scored an unbeaten century on the first day of domestic cricket in almost five months, as Colombo Cricket Club (CCC) ended day one of the Premier Tier ‘A’ Super Eight inter-club encounter against Ragama CC on a formidable 323 for 4 at the CMCC ground in Katunayake.

Opener Minod Bhanuka (88), Ashan Priyanjan (58) and Wanindu Hasaranga (51 not out) made key contributions for CCC, but it was skipper Mendis who starred with his 213-ball century that included 18 boundaries.

This followed an opening wicket partnership between Minod Bhanuka and Ron Chandragupta for 58 runs.

Mendis then joined Bhanuka, who made 88 off 93 balls inclusive of 13 boundaries and a six, and shared a valuable 87-run stand for the second wicket.

Mendis then struck another productive partnership for the third wicket with Priyanjan, adding 122 runs before the latter was dismissed for 58.

He then put on a 79-run partnership with the other unbeaten batsman Hasaranga before stumps.

At the P. Sara Stadium, an opening wicket partnership of 111 runs between Avishka Fernando and Sadeera Samarawickra and an unbroken 142 runs for the third wicket between Angelo Mathews and Santhush Gunatileke saw Colts CC end day one of the Premier Tier ‘A’ Super Eight encounter with a score of 256 for 2 against Saracens SC.

Elsewhere, in two other matches of the same segment Chilaw Marians CC fought back after being restricted to a score of 195 runs as they had BRC struggling for survival on 67 for 5 at CCC, and Army SC batting first ended the day on 236 for 9 against NCC at SSC ground.

Results:

At Katunayake

CCC 353 for 4 (Minod Bhanuka 88, Ashan Priyanjan 58, Kusal Mendis 132 n.o., Wanindu Hasaranga 51 n.o.: Binura Fernando 2 for 35) vs Ragama CC

At P Sara Stadium

Colts CC 256 for 2 (Avishka Fernando 66, Sadeera Samarawickrama 41, Angelo Mathews 80 n.o., Santhush Gunatileke 60 n.o.: Kasun Rajitha 2 for 65) vs Saracens SC

At CCC

Chilaw Marians CC 195 (Oshada Fernando 42, Pulina Tharanga 40, Kasund Vidura 38, Thikshila de Silva 35: Bhanuka Rajapakse 3 for 26, Hashen Ramanayake 3 for 43, Duvindu Tilekeratne 3 for 54)

BRC 67 for 5 (Deshan Dias 24, Lasith Lakshan 18: Nimesh Vimukthi 2 for 6, Thikshila de Silva 2 for 7)

At SSC

Army SC 236 for 9 (Asela Gunaratne 50, Himasha Liyanage 46, Mahesh Kumara 41, Dinesh Chandimal 19, Janith Silva 29 n.o.: Dilesh Gunaratne 4 for 35, Chathuranga de Silva 3 for 82) vs NCC