Nipun guides SSC to U23 final

By M. Shamil Amit

An unbeaten knock of 50 in 52 balls inclusive of two boundaries and two sixes who together associated in an unbroken 95 runs opening wicket stand with Sohan de Livera helped SSC coast to a convincing ten wicket win over Badureliya CC in a semi final encounter of the Under 23 Major Youth Club limited over tournament played at the NCC ground.

Badureliya CC takking first lease of the wicket succumbed to the bowling of Dilum Tilekeratne who ended with impressive figures of 5 for 27 and was bundled out for a meager 93 runs.

SSC in their run chase made merry with Nipun and Sohan having their own way helping them to race to the target in just 18 overs.

In another semi final encounter Lankan CC pulled off a well deserving three wicket win over Colts CC in the match played at P. Sara Stadium. Colts CC taking first lease of the wicket made a modest score of 189 with Dhananjaya Lakshan making a top score of 55. But it proved to be insufficient to defend as Lankan CC in reply raced to the target in the 48th over.

SSC and Lankan CC will battle it out in the final scheduled to be played on February 28 (Sunday) at SSC ground.

Results:
At NCC – SSC won by ten wickets
Badureliya CC 93 in 34 overs (Mithira Thenura 22, Thamindu Wickramaarchchi 22: Dilum Tilekeratne 5 for 27, Chamindu Wickramasinghe 2 for 7)
SSC 95 for 0 in 18 overs (Nipun Dhananjaya 50 n.o., Sohan de Livera 37 n.o.)

At P. Sara Stadium – Lankan CC won by three wickets
Colts CC 189 in 43.1 overs (Dhanjaya Lakshan 55, Vishad Randika 38, Heshan Dhaushka 21, Santhush Gunatileke 17: Yasiru Rodrigo 4 for 39, Lahiru Dilshan 3 for 14, Dunith Wellalage 2 for 32)
Lankan CC 190 for 7 in 47.5 overs (Damith Silva 41, Vishwa Chathuranga 33, Kasun Abeyratne 26, Methsith Jayamanne 26, Dunith Wellalage 22 n.o.: Amantha Gunaratne 3 for 42, Rohan Sanjaya 2 for 27)

Picture: SSC’s Nipun Dhananjaya made an unbeaten 55 (By Nimalsiri Edirisinghe)