Acid test as Devapathiraja meet Mahinda

Under-19 Division I Tier ‘B’ Final

by Reemus Fernando

One of the positives the premier Under-19 cricket tournament witnessed during the Covid 19 curtailed season is the opportunity the teams got to play in two Tiers in each Division. The Under-19 Division I tournament will witness its second final today (2) when Mahinda College, Galle meet Devapathiraja College, Rathgama in the Division I Tier ‘B’ title fight at the NCC ground. The Tier ‘A’ final between Royal and St. Joseph’s was scheduled for Saturday (1).

Devapathiraja who were promoted to Division I only a couple of years ago did remarkably well during this improvised tournament consisting of 18 teams. When some big time cricket playing schools, namely Dharmaraja, Thurstan, St. Sylvester’s and St. Thomas’, Matara failed to go beyond the league stage, Devapathiraja concluded the league stage as runners up in Group ‘Z’ and knocked out Isipatana and Dharmasoka to reach the final.

However, for the team captained by Sudeera Weeraratne it will be an acid test today as they encounter a team inclusive of some formidable players in the junior arena. Weeraratne will also not be short of formidable players and will bank on Pawan Sandesh and Jeewaka Shasheen for batting consistency. The duo have scored over 300 runs each and have maintained averages of 55 and 61 runs respectively. Slow bowlers Weeraratne, Sasanka Nirmal and Irushka Thimira are the players to watch in the bowling department.

Mahinda are the favourites with Sri Lanka Under-19 player Navod Paranavithana bringing in loads of experience to the final. Skipper Paranavithana will strengthen the batting line up with Kaushitha Kodithuwakku, Danuja Induwara, Rashmika Madusanka and Sandew Induwara. Paranavithana also excelled in the bowling department for Mahinda during this tournament. Kavindu Lakshan, Subanu Rajapaksha and Kushan Madusha are the bowlers who have done well during the tournament.

Mahinda concluded the league stage as runners up to St. Peter’s in Group ‘X’. Their only defeat in that phase was at the hands of St. Peter’s. They reached the final beating St. Joseph Vaz’s College, Wennappuwa and Ananda College in the quarter-final and the semi-final respectively.

Teams:

Mahinda (from):

Navod Paranavithana (Captain), Rashmika Madushanka, Kawsitha Kodithuwakku, Sandew Induwara, Dhanuja Induwara, Shakya Sampath, Kavidu Lakshan, Osindu Kavindya, Dinura Kalupahana, Subanu Rajapaksha , Kushan Madusha, Kosala Udayanga, Sithira Helitha, Hiruna Gallage, Danindu Chamikara, Chethiya Gunasekara, Shehan Hasaranga, Ranmina Hettiarachchi, Mahisha Chandupa, Nikil Jayaweera.

Officials:

Danushka Denagama (Coach), Avishka Dilshan (Asst. Coach), Nishantha Kumara (MiC)

Devapathiraja (from):

Sudeera Weeraratne (Captain), Irushka Thimira, Dinitha Prabanka, Pawan Sandesh, Jeewaka Shasheen, Sasanka Nirmal, Tharindu Rukshan, Matheesha Saranga, Darshaka Sandeepa, Sandaru Theekshana, Chaminda Sandaruwan, Pathum Shaminda, Pradeep Rangana, Hiran Chamikara, Chanuka Sulakshana, Simash Dilunja.

Officials:

Ranjan Lasantha de Silva (Coach), Ranjith Kumbalathara (MiC)