Major Club Limited Over Final Pavan Ratnayake’s Heroics Steer CCC to Title Victory

 Major Club Limited Over Champions Colombo Cricket Club

By M. Shamil Amit 

Pavan Ratnayake stole the limelight as he slammed a swashbuckling 94 ball unbeaten knock of 158 inclusive of 13 boundaries and nine towering sixes which paved the way for CCC to coast to a convincing 187 runs win over Police SC in the final of the Major Club limited overs tournament played under floodlights at the CCC ground for his side to emerge champions.

CCC taking first lease of the wicket though losing two early wickets with the score on 25 in the fifth over ran amok to post an imposing score of 387 for 5 while Police SC in their turn was bowled out for 200 runs.

CCC went on the rampage with Nishan Madushka who cracked 88 in 85 balls which included 13 boundaries and a six and Kamindu Mendis who made 59 in 52 balls with ten boundaries sharing a valuable 130 runs for the third wicket.

The separation of the pair saw them losing another quick wicket for the addition of 17 runs before the semi final heroes Pavan  Ratnayake and skipper Sonal Dinusha took things under control.

The pair sent the Police SC bowlers on a leather hunt as they accumulated runs with ease and kept the scoreboard ticking. By the time they were separated with the dismissal of Dinusha who hit 53 in 51 balls with two boundaries and two sixes the pair had combined in a massive stand of 190 runs in just 126 balls for the fifth wicket paving the way for CCC to end with the imposing score.

Police SC in their run chase of 388 runs struggled as they lost wickets at regular intervals and was in a spot of bother losing their top five wickets with the score on 86 in the 14th over.

From there on with their top five batsmen back in the pavilion it was going to be a big challenge for Police SC as they were left with the daunting task of making another 302 runs from the remaining five wickets in 216 balls.

Despite Priyamal Perera and Jason Fernando putting in some resistance and succeeded to share a partnership of 72 runs for the sixth wicket the separation of the pair almost sealed the fate of Police SC as they lost the remaining four wickets cheaply and was able to muster a score of only 200 runs.
For CCC left arm spinner Inuka Karannagoda was the most successful bowler as ended with an impressive four wicket haul for 32 runs.

CCC in the process made amends as they succeeded to clinch the title having ended up as the losing finalist last year.

At CCC – CCC won by 187 runs 
CCC 387 for 5 in 50 overs (Nishan Madushka 88, Kamindu Mendis 59, Sonal Dinusha 52, Pavan Ratnayake 158 n.o.: Charuka Jayatilleke 2/65, Charuka Pramod 2/92)
Police SC 200 in 40.2 overs (Priyamal Perera 57, Kusal Perera 31, Jason Fernando 26, Vishad Randika 22: Inuka Karannagoda 4/32, Chamindu Wijesinghe 2/36)