Under 17 Division 1 Cricket

by Reemus Fernando

Both De Mazenod and Prince of Wales will have an opportunity to create history today when they meet to decide the champions of the Under 17 Division I Cricket tournament at the ACE Capital stadium in Colombo.

If they win Janith Karindra will become the first Under 17 captain of De Mazenod College Kandana to guide a team to the title since earning their Division I promotion some three decades ago.Prince of Wales have reached the Division I final after 18 years and skipper Prince Fernando will be eager to lay his hands on the trophy after doing well during the knockout stage.

For De Mazenod skipper Karindra, Shewan Menusha, Dinosh Jelon, Thareen Sanketh and Thisanga Semith have done well with the bat while Kaveen Nethmina, Dinidu Sashmitha, Sanketh and Ravinsu Ranesha have accounted for most of the wickets.

The Cambrians will rely heavily on all rounder Oshan Maneesha, Suwahas Gaurawa, Gavesha Fernando and Naveen Pramesh in the batting department, while left-arm spinners Basuru Kalhara and Nethul Anuhas and open paceman Maneesha are expected to share most of the bowling duties.

Road to final

Prince of Wales beat Ananda, Colombo (second round first match), St. Benedict’s (pre-quarter-final), Maliyadeva, Kurunegala (quarter-final) and Trinity (semi-final) during the knokout stage. The Cambrians were the runners up in their group in the first round.

De Mazenod beat S. Thomas’, Matale (second round- first match), Royal, Colombo (pre-quarter-finals), St. Servatius’, Matara (quarter-finals) and St. Sebastian’s, Moratuwa (semi-finals) in the second round. De Mazenod reached the second round as champions of their group in the first round.

The Division I tournament saw some 76 teams participating in the league in 14 groups in the first round.

Teams:

Prince of Wales (from): Prince Fernando (Captain), Suwahas Gaurawa, Praveen Rangana, Suwahas Ranawana, Gawesha Fernando, Oshan De Silva, Basuru Kalhara, Nethul Anuhas, Naveen Pramesh, Romesh Harsha, Pasan Cooray, Rithika Hirusara, Sayum Colomboge, Chamindu Wishmitha. Officials: Kasun Devapriya (Prefect of Games), Sarath Thikarathne (Master in Charge), Kelum Fernando (Head Coach), Sanjaya Bambarage (Asst. Coach)

De Mazenod (from): Janith Karindra (Captain), Kaveen Nethmina, Semith Indrachapa, Mewan Jayaweera, Thareen Sanketh, Shevan Welgama, Savinu Kalutaharaarachchi, Dinidu Hanzes, Shaluka Salgadu, Devindu Nadeera, Hasaru Sivagurunathan, Ravin Silva, Shenesh Damsith, Nipuna Fernando, Ayon Fernando, Ranesh Silva, Dinosh Jelon. Officials: Malik Keerthi (Master in Charge), Madhusha Mihiran (Head Coach), Charithanga Lakshan (Asst. Coach)