Singha CC spring surprise on Sinhalese Sports Club

Singha CC beat the much fancied Sinhalese Sports Club by three wickets in the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka Premier Limited Overs game at Maitland Place today. The victory for the Southern Province side was a major upset against the SSC, who contain no less than six test players.

Were it not for the former Sri Lanka catain, Arjuna Ranatunga, who made 23 and Ruchira Perera, who made 20, SSC would not even have reached three figures. They were finally bowled out for 132 in 43.2 overs.

After the start of the match was delayed by half an hour due to heavy overnight rains, Singha CC won the toss and asked SSC into bat first. The pitch was one of five recently re-laid. With the covers not having been on throughout the week, there was still moisture in the wicket, which made life difficult for the batsmen.

Medium pace bowlers, Priyankara Silva and Chamara Zoysa, maintained a good accurate line and length to share four wickets apiece. The other wicket taker was Samara Jayantha with 2 for 16.

In reply Singha CC lost wickets at regular intervals until a fifth wicket partnership of 46 between Chamara Silva (30) and Asela Wewalwala (13) brought them within sight of the victory target.

When both batsmen were dismissed SSC sniffed a slight chance of victory. However, Thilila Thushura, who scored 20 not out with one six and one four, ensured a memorable victory for Singha with some brave strokeplay at the death.

Dilhara Fernando was once again in the wickets, picking up 3 for 16. He was well supported by Pramodya Wickramasinghe, who picked up two wickets. SSC now have chance to redeem themselves against Tamil Union tomorrow.