SSC takes control on day one

by Chris Dhambarage

Cricket: SSC were well placed at 124 for no loss in reply to Chilaw Marians SC's first innings total of 172 all out on the opening day of the Premier League division one cricket tournament final worked off at the Colts CC grounds, Havelock Park yesterday.

Skipper Avishka Gunawardena led the way with a solid 86 not out from 118 balls with the help of eleven fours. His partner Tharanga Paranavithana played a more cautious innings and his unbeaten 38 included three fours.

Earlier SSC's two opening bowlers Nuwan Zoysa and Charith Jayaweera did the early damage after skipper Avishka Gunawardena had won the toss and elected to field. Chilaw Marians SC collapsed to 19 for 4 at one stage before opener Mahela Udawatte and skipper Hasantha Fernando rescued them with a fifth wicket partnership of 45 runs.

Udawatte hit a top score of 67 from 134 balls with one six and seven fours and was seventh out with the total on 156. Fernando struck three fours and one six during his knock of 30.

Zoysa and Jayaweera captured three wickets each while off spinner Suraj Mohamed polished off the tail picking up the last three wickets at a cost of 47 runs.