SSC and NCC dominate second day of Premier League semi-finals

Mahela Jayawardene scored his second consecutive century to leave the Sinhalese Sport Club on the verge of a first innings win against Tamil Union, whilst Nondescripts Cricket Club put one foot in the Premier League final when they bowled out Colts CC for 298.

Jaywardene, still struggling from a troublesome back, dominated the second day at Maitland Crescent with a glistening 170 off 176 balls, including 19 fours and three sixes to leave SSC on 381 for four at the close, just five runs behind Tamil Union's first innings score of 386.

He was well supported by wicket-keeper Malintha Perera, a consistent scorer in Sri Lankan domestic cricket, who scored 102 from 190 balls. Avishka Gunawardene had earlier scored a brisk 23 before being dismissed by former Sri Lanka fast bowler Pramodya Wickramasinghe.

SSC had quickly rapped up the Tamil Union first innings in the morning. Starting the day on 355 for eight, Ranga Dias and Niroshan Bandaratillake added a further 23 runs before being separated by Nuwan Zoysa. Banadaratillake finished with a run-a-ball 58 and Dias was left not out on 75.

At P.Saravanamuttu, NCC had a disappointing morning when Hashan Tillakaratne (97) narrowly missed out on a well-deserved century. They added just 13 runs to their 311-8 overnight total before being bowled out by Colts.

Colts CC the started solidly. Opener Chaminda Mendis scored 80 from 113 balls, skipper Sajith Fernando (23) and Romesh Kaluwithrana (31) chipped in, and Jevantha Kulatunga, who has recovered quickly from a bad car accident, compiled a half century.

However, the middle and lower order failed to capitalise on a solid foundation and Colts slipped from 233 for six to 298 all out, which gave NCC a first innings win and a 26 run lead. NCC's openers survived the only over before the close without alarm.