|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 20 January 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Sangakkara and Aravinda help NCC to 44-run win by LAL GUNESEKERA NCC emerged champions of the Premier Limited-Over cricket tournament sponsored by Janashakthi Insurance beating Tamil Union by 44-runs in the final at the SSC grounds, Maitland Place yesterday. NCC put into bat, made 278 for 8 in their 50 overs, while Tamil Union were all out for 234 in 45.3 overs. NCC's victory looked assured when Aravinda de Silva who has been brought back into the Sri Lanka 'pool' for the Sharjah and England tours, together with Kumar Sangakkara put on 154-runs for the second wicket. De Silva who opened the innings, was not his usual self and made a cautious knock of 65 off 95 deliveries which included four boundaries and a six. It was only the previous day (Friday) that his wife Sarita gave birth to a baby boy, and this half-century would have been to celebrate the event. Sangakkara was more aggressive and was very unfortunate to miss a well deserved century by just two runs. He made 98 off only 96 deliveries with seven fours and two sixes. Ravindra Pushpakumara who was sent early in the batting order, made a quick fire 21 in only 15 deliveries with two boundaries and a six while skipper Russel Arnold made 35 off 39 deliveries with three fours. Tamil Union's right-arm spinner Anil Rideegammanagedera was the best among the bowlers finishing with 3 for 48 in nine overs, which included the prized scalps of both Aravinda de Silva and Sangakkara. Muttiah Muralitharan ended without any wickets and giving away 63 runs in his 10 overs. Tamil Union were in a very precarious position at one stage being 91 for 5. However, Upul Chandana and Malintha Gajanayake made a valuable 49 runs for the sixth wicket. Chandana was run out for 43 off 48 balls with five fours while the latter made 26 off 32 balls with three fours. Then came yet another fine 61-run stand for the eighth wicket between Anil Rideegammanagedera (not out 31) and skipper Niroshan Bandaratilleke (36 off 28 balls with two fours and a six), but fell short of the target with Ravindra Pushpakumara and skipper Russel Arnold taking two wickets each. NCC: 278 for 8 in 50 overs (Aravinda de Silva 65, Pradeep Hewage 13, Kumar Sangakkara 98, Ravindra Pushpakumara 21, Russel Arnold 35, Ruwan Kalpage 14, Anil Rideegammanagedera 3 for 48). Tamil Union: 234 all out in 45.3 overs (Ruwin Pieris 24, Gayan Wijekoon 17, Indika de Saram 17, Upul Chandana 43, Malintha Gajanayake 26, Anil Rideegammanagedera not out 31, Niroshan Bandaratilleke 36, Ravindra Pushpakumara 2 for 39, Russel Arnold 2 for 14). |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
