CCC make it three in a row by clinching the Major Clubs title

CCC led by Ashan Priyanjan retained the championship in the Major Clubs Cricket tournament when they beat Tamil Union on first innings in the four-day final which concluded at the SSC grounds yesterday.

It was a great achievement by CCC who made it three in a row by winning a high-scoring final. Tami Union made 558 in the first innings in which skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama scored a superb 188 but it was in vain as CCC made a bold reply to chase the mammoth innings of 558 and the batsmen of CCC put in a tremendous effort to score 669 which which was easily the best chase in the domestic level tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket.

CCC innings were boosted by three centuries by Kamindu Mendis (105), Skipper Ashan Priyanjan (100) and 21-year-old Chamindu Wijesinghe who scored a fighting 139 which earned him the Man of the Match award.

In fact, CCC lost five wickets after the third day’s play but skipper Ashan Priyanjan and young Chamindu Wijesinghe both products of Nalanda College produced fighting innings to build up the innings while 19-year-old Pawan Ratnayake the former Mahanama Skipper played a good supporting role to get 85 runs which paved the way for CCC to win the Championship.

Off spinner Ravindu Fernando was the only successful bowler for Tamil Union taking 6 for 160 in his 46-over spell. Tamil Union were 145 for 4 wickets when the two umpires Ruchira Palliyaguruge and Prageeth Rambukwelka called off the game.

The jubilant CCC coach Tharanga Dhammika said they were confident of winning the final. Our team was a blend of youth and experienced players who did their job well as they realised their responsibility. Minod Bhanuka 75 and Kamindu Mendis 105 gave a solid start to the team while Skipper Ashan Priyanjan provided good leadership throughout the tournament and young Chamindu Wijesinghe withstood the pressure and late-order batsmen were exceptional. Pawan Ratnayake showed his potential once again. We played without Wanindu Hasaranga and Asitha Fernando whose absence was not felt. My logic is very simple – introduce youngsters at the right time. As a coach I was lucky to win the championship three in a row and my club CCC gave good support and I hope to get a coaching role at the LPL after this achievement said Dhammika.  (by Dhammika ratnaweera