Cricket: SCA National Championship 2023 – Division One |11 November 2023

GSP 7S A Storms into final with convincing victory over Vijay Warriors

In a thrilling semifinal match held on Sunday, GSP 7S A secured their spot in the final of the highly anticipated SCA National Championship 2023 division one with a convincing triumph over Vijay Warriors.

Having won the toss, GSP 7S A elected to bat first and faced an early struggle against the Vijay Warriors bowling attack, losing the first four wickets in quick succession.

At 9.1 overs, they were at a challenging position with 45 runs on the board. However, a resilient performance ensued as they forged a modest partnership of 32 runs for the 5th wicket.

Following this, two brilliant unbeaten partnerships of 77 runs for the 6th wicket were established, resulting in a challenging total of 144 runs for 5 wickets in their allotted 20 overs.

Prasanth Ganpathy played an explosive unbeaten knock of 45 runs in just 19 balls, featuring 5 massive sixes and 1 four, while Moovilarasan Masilamani contributed 36 runs in 38 balls.

Vadodariya Mukesh and Rocket bowled standout spells for Vijay Warriors, taking 2 wickets for 19 runs and 1 wicket for 24 runs, respectively.

In pursuit of the target of 145 runs, Vijay Warriors faced early setbacks, losing their openers with only 8 and 9 runs on the board by the end of 2.2 overs.

Despite building crucial partnerships for the 3rd and 5th wickets, they struggled against GSP 7S A's challenging bowling attack.

Ultimately, Vijay Warriors managed to score 128 runs at the end of 20 overs, losing 9 wickets.

Rocket and Hussy Ahir were the top scorers for Vijay Warriors, both contributing 25 runs each. Ankit Kanchan's exceptional bowling performance, with 4 wickets for just 24 runs in his 3-over spell, and Raj Kumar's brilliant 1 wicket for 8 runs in 4 overs, left Vijay Warriors struggling to reach the required run rate.

Ankit Kanchan was rightfully awarded the Player of the Match title for his outstanding performance.

With this convincing victory, GSP 7S A has set the stage for an exhilarating clash in the finals of the SCA National Championship 2023 division one

SL United dominates semifinal to secure final spot

SL United asserted their dominance in a highly anticipated semifinal match on Sunday, November 5 at the Perseverance grounds, securing their place in the final of the SCA National Championship with a commanding 35-run victory over GSP 7S.

Opting to field first after winning the toss, GSP 7S A invited SL United to bat.

SL United embarked on a splendid start, forging a brilliant opening partnership of 53 runs for the first wicket by the end of 5 overs.

Despite losing the second wicket at 55 and two more within 23 runs, they managed to build a modest partnership of 37 runs for the 5th wicket.

At the end of 20 overs, SL United posted a challenging target of 147 runs for 6 wickets.

Mayura Nuwan played an explosive unbeaten knock of 42 runs in just 22 balls, including 8 fours, while Nimesh Chanaka contributed an unbeaten 34 in 32 balls.

Sanil Sarasan and Sachin Kunder bowled brilliantly for GSP 7S, with Sarasan taking 2 wickets for just 16 runs in his 4 overs, and Kunder picking up 2 wickets for 43 runs.

In pursuit of the target of 148 runs, GSP 7S found themselves in trouble early, losing the first wicket with no runs on the scoreboard and the second wicket at 7 runs.

The challenging bowling attack of SL United proved too much for GSP 7S, with wickets falling at short intervals. At 8 overs, GSP 7S was at 35 runs for 5 wickets.

However, a resilient partnership of 65 runs for the 6th wicket by Sanil and Abhijit offered a glimmer of hope.

Unfortunately, GSP 7S lost the 6th wicket at 110, falling behind the required run rate and managing only 112 runs for 8 wickets at the end of 20 overs.

For GSP 7S, Sanil Sarasan played a brilliant unbeaten innings, scoring 43 runs in 56 balls with 5 fours, while Abhijit Vasant Pednekar contributed 44 runs in 44 balls with 4 fours.

In bowling, Thimeera Madusanka shone with a brilliant spell, picking up 3 wickets for 18 runs in his 4 overs, and Lahiru Rajanatha contributed with 2 wickets for 16 runs in his 4 overs, emerging as the standout bowlers for SL United.

Thimeera Madusanka's all-around brilliant performance with the ball and the bat earned him the well-deserved title of player of the match.

With this convincing victory, SL United has set the stage for an exhilarating clash in the final.

Contributed