De Mazenod stun Nalanda to create history

Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ Cricket quarter-final

by Reemus Fernando

De Mazenod turned tables on Nalanda, a top favourite to win the title, to secure a semi-final berth in the Under 19 Division I cricket tournament for the first time in three decades.

The team captained by Ruveen Fonseka cruised to a stunning eight wicket victory after restricting the formidable team to 120 runs in the quarter-final played at Mount Lavinia on Tuesday.

Skipper Fonseka did everything right from the time he won the toss as he put Nalanda into bat, reduced them to 120 before scoring a measured half century to guide the team to their first semi-final spot since 1992.

“This is a huge accomplishment. This is the first time we are in a semi-final since 1992,” De Mazenod coach Prasanna Vishwanath told The Island.

The Master-in-Charge of Cricket of the school, Malik Keerthi said that no De Mazenod team had reached the semi final stage after Sarada Perera led outfit reached that stage in 1992. They lost to Ananda in the final that year.

According to team officials a team from Kandana reached the quarter-final under Chiranthana Fernando in 2002. They were beaten by St. Sebastian’s in the quarter-final that year.

In the crucial quarter-final yesterday, Nalanda top order was rattled by De Mazenod new ball bowlers. The top three batsmen were out without reaching double figures as speedsters accounted for the first three wickets to fall before spinner Senash Fernando joined them with a four wicket haul to contain the Campbell Place school to their lowest total of the tournament.

Nalanda had topped the 290 runs mark twice during the league stage where they remained unbeaten and their lowest total batting first was the 235 runs scored against Royal. De Mazenod fielders also accounted for three wickets.

Chasing the target skipper Fonseka scored a patient 51 in 114 balls. His knock included just three boundaries.

He was ably supported by Lester Jayaweera and Mithul Senerath. While Jayaweera stroked 21 runs in 23 balls, Senerath scored an unbeaten 41 inclusive of one four and three sixes.

De Mazenod were the runners up to Mahanama in group ‘Z’ and reached the quarter-final with three wins under their belt.

Nalanda inclusive of two Sri Lanka Under 19 players, namely Raveen de Silva and Vinuja Ranpul were the unbeaten champions in their group.

However Nalanda were without their key player Raveen de Silva for the crucial encounter. A team official said that he was not well.

De Mazenod will now meet the winners of today’s quarter-final between St. Joseph’s and Wesley in the semi-final.

Scores:

Nalanda

120 all out in 34 overs (Chanul Athukorala 20, Sajitha Vithanage 33, Extras 20; Senash Fernando 4/22)

De Mazenod

121 for 2 in 32.2 overs (Ruveen Fonseka 51, Lester Jayaweera 21, Mithul Senerath 41 n.o.)