SSC has the edge over NCC in under 23 final

Chris DHAMBARAGE

SSC with a good all round side will have the edge when they confront their traditional rivals NCC in the Sri Lanka Cricket organized under 23 division one tournament three day final at the SSC grounds in Maitland Place starting from today.

SSC with a star studded line up have always looked a real champion outfit as they are in contention to retain the title for the second successive year. The manner in which they cleared their semifinal hurdle certainly proved their talent and potential.

The match will also be of great significance for the two coaches Sampath Perera (NCC) and Avishka Gunawardena (SSC). The former will be in charge of the NCC team for the last time having served the Maitland Place club for many seasons in the Premier League tournaments.

Sampath Perera will be taking up a new assignment with the Trinity College cricket team immediately after the conclusion of the final. The match will also be an emotional one for former SSC and Sri Lanka opening batsman Avishka Gunawardena who is coaching his side for the first time.

The dashing left hander is expected to leave shortly to participate in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and will be looking to guide his former team towards success. Gunawardena said that he really enjoyed coaching these promising players and is looking forward to be associated with the Maitland Place club during the Premier League Tier 'A' tournament.

Gunawardena said that he is quite satisfied with the teams performance in this tournament but their fielding area needs to be further improved. He said that the batting and bowling departments have delivered their goods at the correct time and is currently concentrating on the aspect of fielding.

Gunawardena said that skipper Hans Fernando returning to form at this crucial time is a big boost to the side and is looking for a good batting display from their top order line up.

Fernando in fact was the matchwinner in the semifinal match against the Sri Lanka Schools Under 20 team where he hammered an unbeaten century in the second innings.

"It's good to have the captain back in form. Basically the venue of the final, the SSC is a good batting track. In addition to Hans, opener Naveen Perera is in good form. And we have a good middle order," said Gunawardena. "We have three seamers who are doing well. Then there are two spinners who are capable of turning the game. It's not necessary to depend on a single bowler as all five of them are at their peak," he said.

Meanwhile NCC will be hoping for a repeat performance from the experienced Kosala Kulasekera who hit a splendid century in the semifinal match against Colts CC in his first outing since returning from a short stint in England.

Coach Sampath Perera said that it's good to have Kosala and Eranga back in form. Both of them scored hundreds against Colts in the first innings of the semifinal. And in the second innings six batsmen scored half centuries. "We have got good all rounders. My picks for the final would be Eranga and Laksiri. They have been successful campaigners in the entire tournament," said Perera.

Teams:

SSC: Hans Fernando (captain), Naveen Perera, Kishan Magage, Janudhika Sriyapala, Upesh Wijesiri, Ryan Kern, Hasitha de Silva, Dhanushka Colombage, Shalika Karunanayake, Chathupama Gunasinghe, Milan Fernando.

NCC: Damith Mapa (captain), Demintha Dahanayake, Rajitha Mendis, Sashrika Pussegolla, Hashan Gunathillake, Eranga Gangoda, Kosala Kulasekara, Sandun Dias, Roshan Laksiri, Chamindu Ishanka, Lahiru Gamage.