The cream of Sri Lankan youth cricketers will be in action when the semi-finals of the postponed SLC Major Club Under-23 Cricket Tournament get underway at two neutral venues in Colombo today.
Colts CC and Lankan CC will meet at the P. Sara Oval, while the SSC will take on Baduraliya CC at the NCC Grounds in Maitland Place.
Colts CC and SSC, which reached the semi-finals with an unbeaten record after the completion of the league round matches, will have a slight edge over their opponents Lankan CC and Badulaliya CC, respectively.
Colts CC, led by wicket-keeper/batsman Vishad Randika, have made it to the last four under the guidance of new coach Shanuka Dissanayake; and they will have the services of all-rounder Dhananajaya Lakshan and Santhush Gunatilleka.
However, Colts CC will miss the services of opener Avishka Fernando due to an injury. They will also miss the services of Dilshan Madushaka, who is currently touring the West Indies with the Sri Lanka white-ball team, but Nipun Ransika and Nipun Malinga are set to add more variation to their fast bowling attack. Meanwhile, the Group ‘A’ leaders Badulaliya CC will be led by opener Dunith Jayathunga, and they will have the services of key players Nishitha Abhilash, Kosala Ravindu, and Ranesh Silva.
Baduraliya CC will start as the favourites to play in Sunday’s final after they finished the league round with five victories to their credit and having lost just one game. The Group ‘D’ leaders SSC will be led by batsman Sammu Ashan, and they will field a well-balanced side packed with all-rounders Nupun Dhananjaya and Chaminu Wickramasinghe.
SSC played six league round matches with an unbeaten record. They will bank on their bowlers Himesh Ramanayake, Kavindu Nadeeshan, and Dilum Sudeera to deliver the desired results.
Lankan CC, led by leg-spinner Damitha Silva, finished as the Group ‘B’ leaders with three victories and one defeat. Opener Vishwa Chathuranga is the key player for Lankan CC, with big scores during league matches. Skippers Damitha Silva, Yasiru Rodrigo, and Dunith Wellalage are the key players in their bowling department.
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