Opening batsman Yuthika Dilruk de Silva, the former Kalutara Vidyalaya cricketer powered Galle CC to the final of the Tier B 50-over tournament with a blazing knock of 86 off 64 balls (13 fours, 2 sixes) in their semi-final match against Moratuwa SC which they won by seven wickets at Bloomfield grounds.
In the other semi-final played at the Colts grounds yesterday, Army SC came up with a powerful batting performance to outplay Kurunegala SC by five wickets.
Galle CC made light of Moratuwa SC’s modest total of 143, winning in the 22nd over with Yuthika dominating their batting. Koshendra Fernando, a right-arm seamer from St Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa took all three Galle CC wickets to fall conceding 45 runs. Only Rusith Jayawardana (56* off 80 balls, 3 fours) played with any purpose for Moratuwa SC against a varied pace cum spin bowling Galle CC attack where four bowlers took two wickets apiece.
Army SC chased down a target of 265 to win with 46 balls to spare against Kurunegala SC. An opening stand of 98 between Ashan Sudarshana (50 off 57 balls, 5 fours, 3 sixes) and Pathum Dilshan (41) provided the base for Army SC’s run chase which was completed by two former Sri Lankan cricketers Asela Gunaratne (39*) and Thisara Perera (48 off 34 balls, 4 sixes) who were involved in a stand of 86 off 63 balls.
Kurunegala SC who chose to bat first scored 264. Their total was made up of a fifty from Dulaj Ranatunga (56 off 69 balls, 4 fours) and contributions of 41 and 42 from Dilshan Kollure and skipper Sarinda Dassanayake respectively. Leg-spinner Lilan Rangana (3/44) and medium-pacer Asela Gunaratne (3/54) were the principle wicket-takers for Army SC.
The final between Galle CC and Army SC will take place on 11 February at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium under lights.