Chilaw Marians take 1st innings lead

by Chris DHAMBARAGE

CRICKET: Right arm fast bowler Arosha Janoda took a six wicket haul as Chilaw Marians CC bounced back in style to snatch a first innings lead over NCC on the second day of their SLC Under-23 Division I cricket tournament match which continued at the SSC ground in Maitland Place yesterday.

Janoda came out with his best performance in this tournament while returning magnificent bowling figures of six wickets for 46 runs. As a result NCC were dismissed for 175 runs while chasing Chilaw Marians first innings total of 242 runs.

Chilaw Marians CC of course started the day under tremendous pressure with NCC well placed at 53 for 1 having done all the hard work on the field. However Chilaw Marians CC stuck to their task and were able to convert their modest total into a match winning one.

Arosha Janoda led the way with a sensational spell of bowling with the back up support coming from Geeth Alwis who snapped up two vital wickets while conceding a mere four runs.

Middle order batsman Sashrika Pussegolla hit a top score 58 for NCC but the rest of the batting crumbled against the pace blitz of Arosha Janoda. In addition Roshan Laksiri and Ishan Kavinga also made useful contributions for NCC.

Chilaw Marians CC in their second innings reached an impressive 122 for 2 with opener Lahiru Weragala smashing a sparkling half century inclusive of one six and four boundaries.

Chilaw Marians CC have now build up an overall lead of 189 runs with eight second innings wickets in hand.

Chilaw Marians CC: 242 and 122 for 2 (L. Weragala 56, G. Alwis 42).

NCC: 175 (I. Kavinga 33, S. Pussegolla 58, R. Laksiri 35, A. Janoda 6 for 46, G. Alwis 2 for 4).