da bwin： Nondescripts Cricket Club were left an agonising six runs short of a firstinnings victory, which would almost certainly insure them the Premier LeagueTrophy, at the close of play on a dramatic second day at Reid Avenue today
CricInfo05-May-2001Nondescripts Cricket Club were left an agonising six runs short of a firstinnings victory, which would almost certainly insure them the Premier LeagueTrophy, at the close of play on a dramatic second day at Reid Avenue today.Required to score 247 to claim a vital eight points NCC started confidentlyas Kumar Sangakkara and RR Tissera added 42 runs for the first wicket. Theythen lost four wickets for 19 runs – including those of Sangakara, Aravindade Silva, and Naveed Nawaz – before Hashan Tillakaratne (48) steadied theinnings, adding 86 runs for the fifth wicket with TA Weerappuli (44).At 147 for four they looked to be cruising, but they lost Weerappuli andTillakaratne in quick succession. Ruwan Kalpage (41) and Malinga Bandara(32) then added 57 runs before NCC lost three wickets in the last hour,including that of Kalpage just minutes before the close. The young AkalankaGanagama and Amerasinghe are left with a nail biting morning tomorrow.NCC, however, will draw some comfort from the plight of Burgher RecreationClub, who succumbed to a first innings defeat against Tamil Union. They werebowled out for 217 after finishing off Tamil Union for 314 this morning.Upul Chandana (4-31) and Niroshan Bandaratillake (3-58) took seven wicketsbetween them.Nevertheless, BRC took two wickets tonight and still have a chance ofwinning the match. The ball is turning and they have the highest first-classwicket taker of the year in their side. Sajeewa Weerakoon, a left armspinner, opened the bowling tonight and took both wickets to fall. If NCCslip up then there could be a very tense end to the season.Elsewhere, Colts Cricket Club are dominating their encounter with PanaduraSports Club. Four wickets from Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, who has a goodchance of a national cap this year, hastened the Panadura innings to aclose. Requiring 258 for a first innings victory the Colts batsmen poweredtheir way 262 for five, thanks to an 80 by Chaminda Mendis.Sinhalese Sports Club look likely to beat Bloomfield at the Colombo CricketClub. After bowling Bloomfield out for just 88, SSC compiled 300 beforegrabbing the key wicket of Sanath Jayasuriya just before the close.