NW CRICKET FINAL: Coleraine add new professional

Sri Lankan spinner Suraj Randiv has jetted ahead of this weekend's Bank of Ireland Senior Cup Final.

Only a few weeks ago the 31-year-old scored an impressive 26 not out in Sri Lanka’s ODI defeat to England, at Edgbaston, so he should have no fears coming up Donemana, at Strabane this weekend.

Randiv has had to be drafted into the Bannsiders squad for the remainder of the campaign, after former professional Roshen Silva, who will now miss the rest of the season, was called up to the Sri Lanka test squad.

Unfortunately Randiv suffered a defeat in his first game for the Coleraine men, as they lost by five wickets to fellow title contenders Brigade, in Wednesday night’s T20 clash.

The victory for the Beechgrove side means there’s a three-way tie at the top of the Long’s Supervalu Premiership table.

In a low scoring contest, Coleraine could only muster 80 for 7 in their 20 overs with Randiv top scoring with 22.

Johnny Robinson and Mark Simpson both claimed two wickets in a tight bowling display for the Waterside out-fit.

In reply openers Danza Hyatt and Gareth McKeegan both fell for 0 as Brigade wobbled, but 27 not out from Ifty Hussain and 22 from skipper Andy Britton sealed the win with 19 balls to spare.

Brigade, Ardmore and Coleraine all now share the lead at the summit on 10 points each - two ahead of Eglinton as the title race shapes up to be one of the most open in recent years.