SSC heading for outright win

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

CRICKET: SSC's second wicket pair Navin Perera (66 n.o.) and skipper Hans Fernando (102 n.o.) put them well on course into the final with an unbroken 172 run stand in their Under 23 cricket semi final against the Schools Under 20 XI at the NCC grounds yesterday.

SSC requiring 213 runs for an outright win lost their first wicket for 6 runs, but Perera and Fernando batted with assurance to bring the score to 178 for 1 at close, just 34 runs away for an outright win with 9 wickets in hand to meet either NCC or Colts in the final.

The second wicket stand of 172 came off 241 deliveries where Navin Perera faced 141 balls with four boundaries and Hans Fernando's century contained 11 fours and a six facing 109 deliveries.

Sri Lanka Schools Under 20: 115 (M. Mazahir 54, M.Fernando 30, S.Karunanayake 3 for 21 M. Fernando 3 for 11) and 237 (D.Karunaratne 82, Marlon Fernando 26, A.Priyanjana 50, M.Mazahir 30, Sanjaya Fernando 23 n.o., S.Karunanayake 3 for 74, Milan Fernando 2 for 53, D.Colombage 3 for 49).

SSC: 146 and 178 for 1 in 43 overs. (Navin Perera 66 n.o., Hans Fernando 102 n.o.).

NCC - overall lead of 210

NCC are well on their way to meet their traditional rivals SSC in the Under 23 final as they obtained a first innings lead in the semi final against Colts CC at the SSC grounds yesterday.

NCC who were 362 for 9 overnight were all out for 376 with Kosala Kulasekera (133) and Eranda Gangoda (114) reaching worthy centuries.

Colts in reply were all out for 234 and NCC were 68 for no loss in their second innings having an overall lead of 210 with all wickets intact. Angelo Perera (64) with seven fours was the top scorer and Roshane Silva was the second best with 41 for Colts in their first innings. The pair added 93 runs for the fourth wicket.

NCC: 376 and 68 for no loss (Damitha Dahanayake 33 n.o., Rajitha Mendis 34 n.o.).

Colts: 234 in 69.2 overs (T.Attanayake 32, Sashan Silva 12, Kusal Janith Perera 29, Roshane Silva 41, Angelo Perera 64, Oshada Fernando 12, Kosala Kulasekera 2 for 48, R.Laksiri 2 for 62, Eranda Gangoda 4 for 44).