Moors Sports Club win one-day title
Sri Lanka CricketNews article
Moors Sports Club won the premier inter-club Limited Overs Cricket Tournament organised by Sri Lanka Cricket, defeating SSC by 25 runs in the final. Chasing 261 in the day-night match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday (11th), SSC were bowled out for 235 in 49.5 overs. Moors received the winners’ trophy and 3,000,000 in prize money, while runners-up SSC were awarded 2,500,000.
Nipun Dhananjaya, SSC’s last hope, played an excellent innings of 98, but insufficient support from the other batters left him short of a century and his side short of victory. His 112-ball innings included 8 fours and a six.
Kavindu Nadeeshan scored 44 as he tried to rebuild the innings alongside Nipun, but wickets at crucial moments slowed SSC’s chase. Dinura Kalupahana made 30, while Vishad Randika contributed 17.
Indumala Udena bowled superbly for Moors, taking 4 for 49, while Milan Rathnayake claimed 3 for 33. Santush Gunathilaka took one wicket.
Batting first, Moors Sports Club were bowled out for 260 in 49.5 overs. Sri Lanka international Ramesh Mendis led the innings with 85 off 91 balls, including 5 fours and a six.
Milan Rathnayake provided valuable support to Ramesh Mendis with 43 off 61 balls, while Sithara Gimhan scored 39 and Sohan de Livera made 29. Their contributions were crucial in taking Moors to 260 by the closing stages.
Prabath Jayasuriya took 4 for 44 for SSC, while Mihiranga Silva claimed 3 for 36. Nipun Dhananjaya took one wicket.
Having restricted Moors to 260, SSC failed to make a strong start and lost wickets steadily under pressure from the Moors bowlers. Nipun Dhananjaya’s fighting innings took the contest into the final overs, but SSC could not find the runs they needed and fell to a 25-run defeat.
At the presentation ceremony, presided over by Sri Lanka Cricket selection committee chairman Kapila Wijegunawardena, Ramesh Mendis was named Player of the Final and received a trophy and 750,000. BRC’s Movin Subasingha won the best batter award for his 280 runs in 6 matches, while Moors Sports Club’s Shiran Fernando was named best bowler after taking 15 wickets in 6 matches. Each received a trophy and one million rupees.
Colts Cricket Club’s Muditha Lakshan was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after scoring 265 runs and taking 13 wickets in 7 matches. He received a trophy and 1,500,000.
Scores in brief
Moors Sports Club – 260 (49.5) – Ramesh Mendis 85, Milan Rathnayake 43, Sithara Gimhan 39, Sohan de Livera 29, Prabath Jayasuriya 44/4, Mihiranga Silva 36/3
SSC – 235 (49.5) – Nipun Dhananjaya 98, Kavindu Nadeeshan 44, Dinura Kalupahana 30, Indumala Udena 49/4, Milan Rathnayake 33/3
Based on Sri Lanka Cricket reporting