Nondescripts CC led by ex-Sri Lanka cricketer Hashan Tillakaratne clinched Sri Lanka's domestic premier championship title on Sunday when they came from behind to snatch a thrilling three-wicket win over Colombo CC in the final Super League match played at Bloomfield grounds, Reid Avenue.
It was a creditable achievement on the part of the NCC to take full points from this game, after narrowly missing it out on the first innings when they failed by two runs to overtake CCC's total of 246. NCC starting the final day at 241 for 9 added only four runs before the final wicket fell.
Another former Sri Lanka cricketer Ruwan Kalpage was the architect of NCC's excellent win. The all-rounder displayed his prowess with both bat and ball to steer his club to their first championship win in seven years.
The last occasion NCC won the Premier championship was in 1993-94. Kalpage's off-breaks accounted for seven batsmen in the second innings as CCC were routed for 141. This left NCC with the task of scoring 143 for an outright win and the championship title.
They began the run chase by opening the batting with Aravinda de Silva. But de Silva made only three before he was caught in the third over. However Naveed Nawaz kept NCC in the hunt with a splendid knock of 57 off 45 balls which included four sixes and a four.
Tillakaratne made seven and Kumar Sangakkara 14, as NCC continued to press for runs despite the fall of wickets. By the 21st over they had lost six wickets for 117. Kalpage however proved a steadying influence. Using his experience to the maximum, he hit an undefeated 31 off 36 balls with one six and two fours (to follow his first innings knock of 44) to steer NCC to victory in the 25th over.
While NCC were celebrating at Reid Avenue, their nearest rivals Burgher RC lost out on the race for honours at the Panadura esplanade, where they conceded first innings points to Tamil Union. Chasing Tamil Union's healthy total of 314, BRC were dismissed for 217. A herculean effort from spinner Sajeewa Weerakoon, who took a dozen wickets in the match, failed to bring BRC an outright win.
Weerakoon's effort saw Tamil Union being dismissed for 182 in their second innings, but it left BRC with little time to score the 280 runs needed for victory. They eventually finished on 98 for 2 in 26 overs and had to be content with the runner-up berth.
Defending champs Colombo Colts CC took third place when they obtained first innings points from Panadura SC at the BRC grounds. Replying to Panadura SC's total of 257, Colts piled up 370. Panadura made a strong reply in their second innings with 282 for four.
Singhalese SC took fourth spot by thrashing Bloomfield by ten wickets at the CCC grounds. Bloomfield for whom Sri Lanka skipper Sanath Jayasuriya made a disappointing 13 and 19 runs were shot out for 88 and 222. SSC having hit up 301 in the first innings, were left with the formal task of making 12 for full points, a target which they achieved in 15 balls without losing a wicket.
The weekend's matches brought the Super League to a conclusion. The Plate championships however will continue for another fortnight before the domestic season is concluded.
© Cricinfo
| Teams | Sri Lanka. |
| Players/Umpires | Hashan Tillakaratne, Kumar Sangakkara, Ruwan Kalpage, Sanath Jayasuriya. |
| Tournaments | Premier League Tournament |
| Season | Sri Lankan Domestic Season |
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