Battle for first innings lead

NCC had a fight on their hands to obtain the vital first innings lead over arch rivals SSC in the 3-day under 23 division I cricket final continued at the SSC grounds.

By stumps on day two NCC replying to SSC's first innings total of 308 had lost six wickets for 207, to trail by 101 runs with four wickets in hand. In the event of the final ending in a draw which seems very likely the winners will be decided on the first innings.

NCC would have been in a worse plight had it not been for their seventh wicket pair Kosala Kulasekera and Tharuka Kottehewa. They have so far added a valuable 77 runs in an unfinished stand lifting their club from a precarious 130-6.

NCC's chances rest a great deal on this pair and the tail to follow. Kulasekera has so far struck eight fours in his 156-ball innings for 72 not out - the highest score of the match, and Kottehewa offering him good support has a six and a four in his unbeaten 31. Earlier in the day, SSC added a further 43 runs to their overnight total of 265-5 with C. Shriyapala joining Shalika Karunanayake by completing a half-century. Shriyapala was undefeated on a sedate 56 scored off 163 balls (6 fours). Karunanayake added six runs to his overnight score before being dismissed for 71 which was scored off 114 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes).

SSC benefited largely by some undisciplined bowling by NCC which contributed to 29 extras of which 24 were no-balls.