Kusal steers SLC Reds to easy win
Skipper Kusal Mendis scored an unbeaten 56 in 45 balls with 4 fours and six as SLC Reds recorded an easy seven wickets win over SLC Blues to win the championship of the SLC Invitational T 20 league cricket tournament final played at the R. Premadass International cricket stadium yesterday.
It was a superb batting display by opener Kusal Mendis who scored his back to back second fifty to ensure the victory with 19 balls to spare in the final. SLC Reds chasing a target of 137 reached with seven wickets in hand in the 16.5 overs to win the title comfortably.
Skipper Kusal Mendis was adjudged the Man of the Final while he received the trophy plus cash award from SLC Vice President Dr Jayantha Dharmadasa at the awards ceremony.
Earlier SLC Blues put into bat first made 136 for 6 wickets in their 20 overs while Ashen Bandara was top scored 40 in 30 balls with 4 fours and opener Lahiru Udara made a solid start adding 37 in 40 balls with 4 fours.
The Blues started with openers Lahiru Udara and Lahiru Samarakoon who was the new open partner for the Blues.
However third over been bowled by mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana, Samarakoon was first to out LBW scoring 6 in 9 balls while wicket keeper Sadeera Samarawickrama scored 10 as the number three batter was out as Theekshana took a very low diving catch in his own bowling.
The Blues standing skipper Dhananjaya de Silva played a brisk knock of 25 in 19 balls finally back to the pavilion and young leggie Dunith Wellalage took a prized wicket of Dhanajaya de Silva at the over number 11.
Ashen Bandara the 23 year old right hander was the most successful batter of Blues came to the wicket at number five played an anchor role of the side produced unbeaten knock of 40 which paved the way to build up the innings for 136 for 6 wickets in 20 overs.
Maheesh Theekshana was the pick of the bowlers taking 2 for 22 in his four over spell while paceman Asitha Fernando once again among the wickets finished 2 for 31 and Wellalage was able to take the wicket of Dhanajaya de Silva given away 27 runs in his four over spell.
The T20 invitational league cricket tournament conducted by SLC was highly successful while the National players and the top players of the Domestic tournaments got chance to perform well during this tournament before the Asian Cup T 20 cricket tournament as well as next T 20 cricket tournament in Australia.
Chief scores
SLC Blues: 136 for 6 wickets in 20 overs Lahiru Udara 37, Sadeera Samarawickrama 10, Dhananjaya de Silva 25, Ashen Bandara 40*, Janith Liyanage 12, Maheesh Theekshana 2/22, Asitha Fernando 2/31, Dunith Wellalage 1/27
SLC Reds: 137 for 3 wickets in 16.5 overs Lasith Croospulle 25, Kusal Mendis 56*, Kamindu Mendis 18, Wanindu Hasaranga 24*,Praveen Jayawickrama 2/34, Suminda Lakshan 1/25