HNB and Seylan Bank clash for Mercantile league title

Reigning champs Hatton National Bank and challengers to their title Seylan Bank recorded contrasting victories as the Mercantile 'A' division league entered its penultimate day of matches before it draws to a conclusion on Wednesday. While Seylan made light work of Access to win by 94 runs, HNB were taken almost to the limit by Sampath Bank before recording a hard fought four-wicket win with six balls to spare.

The wins kept the two teams on an even keel with 21 points from six matches and everything to play for when they play each other on Wednesday at the NCC grounds to decide the league title.

By virtue of their defeat Sampath failed to finish in the top four of the league to qualify for the knockout stage. Janashakthi another team in the running for the knockout also lost out when unsuitable ground conditions at Bloomfield prevented a ball being bowled in their match against E-wis. John Keells capitalised on these setbacks to defeat Singer by nine wickets and finish fourth behind HNB, Seylan and Access to qualify for the knockout. Sri Lanka players once again figured prominently in shaping the destinies of their respective companies.

Crisis man Russel Arnold played a cool and calm knock of 61 not out off 99 balls (2 sixes, 1 four) to steer HNB to victory over Sampath at the Moors grounds. Chasing a Sampath total of 227 for 9 in 50 overs, HNB were in a bit of a spot until Arnold and Chamara Silva (40) added 77 for the fifth wicket. This stand was followed by another useful partnership of 46 for the sixth between Arnold and Kumar Dharmasena (28 with 3 sixes) which saw HNB through. Sampath's total revolved around a steady knock of 73 off 121 balls (2 sixes, 6 fours) from former Sri Lanka opener Chandika Hathurusingha.

Two other national cricketers figured in Seylan's victory over Access at the NCC grounds for whom experienced Sri Lanka batsman Aravinda de Silva was unavailable. Access did well to restrict the Seylan batting to 191 for 9 in 50 overs, but did not have the batting power to overhaul that total and were shot out for 97 inside half the number overs they were entitled to. Skipper Mahela Jayawardene stroked his way to a fluent 68 off 93 balls (6 fours) an then Vaas broke through early with three wickets for nine runs to put the issue beyond doubt. Vaas received good support from two other young Sri Lanka quick bowlers Dilhara Fernando and Kaushalya Weeraratne, who took two wickets apiece, and from Sri Lanka 'A' captain Tilan Samaraweera, who also picked up a couple with his off-breaks.

Tall opener Michael van Dort was in great form striking an unbeaten 66 off 49 balls with three sixes and seven fours, as John Keells crushed Singer by nine wickets at the Colts grounds. Singer were dismissed for 116 in the first ball of the 38th over and John Keells rattled off the runs at a hectic pace using up just 13.4 overs.