Arjuna Ranatunga makes triumphant return to domestic cricket

An unbeaten stand of 100 runs between the Ranatunga brothers, Arjuna and Sajeevwa, for the third wicket, ensured Sinhalese Sports Club their first victory in the Premier League One-Day Tournament match against Bloomfield Sports Club at SSC grounds today. Both brothers scored 63 runs and the victort target was reached in the 36th over.

Arjuna, who was making his first appearance since his retirement from international cricket in August, showed that there is still plenty of cricket left in him. He scored his runs quickly, from just 57 balls, and hit four boundaries and four sixes.

Sanjeewa, who narrowly missed a half-century yesterday, played a more sedate innings and faced 95 deliveries.

Prasanna Jayawardene (46), who opened the innings, was also in the runs, for the first time for his new club, having recently left Sebastianites. His 46 came from 51 balls and included seven boundaries.

Earlier, Bloomfield SC elected to bat first having won the toss. They started well as the openers, Chaminda Ruwan(42) and Pubudu Dassanayake(27), shared a 66-run partnership in 12 overs.

However, they the lost two wickets with the score on 66 and never recovered thereafter. Only skipper, Kumara Dharmasena, was able to settle, scoring an unbeaten 57 runs from 90 balls.

Off spinner, Suranjith Silva (4/40) was the chief wicket-taker while SSC's inform fast bowler, Dilhara Fernando, chipped in with three for 22.

Bloomfield having lost their two opening games in the tournament are looking forward to the return of inform national skipper Sanath Jayasuriya to give them a boost in next weeks matches. SSC will be boosted by the return of four national players.