SLC Inter-Club Under-23 Cricket semi-finals:

Tamil Union lead by 369 runs

by Sajeewa JAYAKODY

With the help of wicket-keeper batsman Denuwan Rajakaruna's brilliant batting, Tamil Union lead by 369 runs with six wickets in hand at the end of the second day's play in their SLC Inter-Club Under-23 cricket three-day semi-final match worked off at Colts grounds yesterday. Rajakaruna, who will be keeping wickets for Ruhunu team in the forthcoming SLPL tournament, was unbeaten on 36 at stumps. He has been excellent in the match so far, having scored 201 runs.

Tamil Union resuming from their overnight score of 395 for 5, added only 18 runs yesterday morning and declared for 413 for eight wickets. Since then their bowlers wrecked the Air Force innings with superb piece of bowling by right-arm off spinner Ashen Silva. Silva grabbed five wickets for 26 runs with the help of Matheesha Perera (2 for 13).

Angelo Emmanuel was the only successful batsman for Air Force as he scored a half century.

Tamil Union: 413/8 declared in 92 overs (Denuwan Rajakaruna 165, Gayan Manishan 72, Chathuranga de Silva 51, Sajith Kelumpriya 52, T. Nadeera 2/75, Lasanda Rukmal 2/87) and 111/4 in 32 overs (Denuwan Rajakaruna 36 n.o., Kithruwan Vithanage 27, Ashen Silva 14, Sohan Rangika 2/45).Air Force: 155 in 48 overs (Angelo Emmanuel 58, Rosco Thattil 23, Ashen Silva 5/26, Matheesha Perera 2/13, Wimukthi Perera 2/36).

Narada wrecks Colts

Right-arm fast bowler Narada Ratnayake captured five wickets for 40 runs for Moors as Colts SC were bowled out for 193 in their first innings at the SLC Inter-Club Under-23 semi-final match which worked off at the NCC grounds yesterday.

At second day's stumps, Colts SC lead by 281 runs with three wickets in their hand with captain Ashan Priyanjan unbeaten at the crease with 48 runs. Moors scored 370 in their first innings. When Colts resumed their first innings, leading run-getter, Shihan Kamaleen got out for 38 and they were restricted for 193 runs.

Moors SC: 370 in 85.5 overs (Chamikara Edirisinghe 54, Akila Dhananjaya 5/114, Chathura Peiris 3/65) and 104/7 in 25 overs (Ashan Priyanjan 48 n.o., Chathura Peiris 3/39, Chathuranga Kumara 2/12). Colts SC: 193 in 56 overs (Shihan Kamaleen 38, Hasitha Wickramasinge 36, Chathuranga Kumara 28, Sameera Weerasinghe 23, Narada Ratnayake 5/40, Maduka Liyanapathirana 3/52).