Wanidu, Minod steer CCC to title

CCC celebrate after their close win

By M. Shamil Amit  

A quick-fire knock by Minod Bhanuka, who made 59 in 38 balls, and an unbeaten 60 in 34 balls by Wanidu Hasaranga helped CCC to record a thrilling four-wicket win over Chilaw Marians CC in the final of the Premier T20 inter-club cricket tournament played at the SSC ground yesterday.  

Hasaranga’s knock was something special as he came to the crease when CCC, in pursuit of 163 runs for victory, were struggling on 96 for 6 needing 66 runs in 40 balls. 

Hasaranga found a reliable partner in Manelker de Silva to take CCC to a last-ball win. 

Wanidu came to the crease with the dismissal of Bhanuka who had earlier stolen the limelight of the CCC innings, with a half-century. 
After losing partners at the other end, Bhanuka put on a valuable 50 runs for the fourth wicket with Lasith Abeyratne when they were in a spot of bother on 24 for 4 in the fifth over.  

Hasaranga playing with confidence had little threat from the Chilaw Marians bowlers as he had things his own way, but CCC still faced a daunting task to make 42 runs at the end of the 16th over.  

CCC was left with 22 runs in 12 balls and in the penultimate over bowled by right arm pacie Asitha Fernando, CCC scored five runs.  
Left with 17 runs to get, right arm pacie Thikshila de Silva was hit for 14 runs off the first four balls, with Hasaranga slamming a six and a boundary coupled with two runs each off the next two deliveries, before a single left them needing two runs from the last ball. 
 Manelker succeeded sent it to the ropes for CCC to record a thrilling four-wicket victory.  

Earlier in the day Chilaw Marians CC invited to take first lease of the wicket lost their first wicket with the score on nine in the second over.  
Skipper Shehan Jayasuriya who made a valuable 80 runs in only 52 balls which included nine boundaries, along with Kamindu Mendis who chipped in with 46, associated in a 96-run stand for the second wicket.  

That was all they could achieve as the separation of the pair saw Chilaw Marians losing wickets at regular intervals and apart from the duo none of other batsmen failed to reach the double figures as they ended with a score of 162 which proved to be insufficient.  

At SSC – CCC won by four wickets  

Chilaw Marians CC 162 for 8 in 20 overs (Shehan Jayasuriya 80, Kamindu Mendis 46: Malinda Pushpakumara 2 for 27, Lahiru Gamage 2 for 30)  

CCC 165 for 6 in 20 overs (Minod Bhanuka 59, Wanidu Hasaranga 60 n.o.,  Pulina Tharanga 2 for 24).