Sports
Hiran creates history against Royal, Chamindu’s marathon effort saves Petes
St. Sebastian’s, Nalanda record victories
by Reemus Fernando
St. Joseph’s batsman Hiran Jayasundara, St. Peter’s opener Chamindu Perera and Nalanda bowler Minod Caldera recorded remarkable achievements for their respective schools in the Under 19 traditional matches completed over the weekend.
Jayasundara became the first batsman from any school in the history to score a double century against Royal in their traditional cricket encounter ended in a draw at Darley Road. According to Royal College statistician M.L. Fernando, the 199 runs scored by R. David from Wesley (1990) remained the highest score by a batsman from a rival school against Royal until Jayasundara scored the double century on Saturday. His unbeaten knock of 200 runs came in 309 balls (18x4s, 3x6s).
The Josephian also broke nearly a century old batting record in the historic Royal-St. Joseph’s series as he took under his belt the record for the highest individual score overtaking the 194 runs scored by L.D.S Gunasekara for Royal in 1925. The Josephian record in the series was the 174 runs scored by Milroy Brohier in 1952. The Joes amassed 414 runs for six wickets against Royal. The visitors made 311 for seven wickets at close as the 126th encounter, which is one of the oldest traditional matches in the country ended in a draw at Darley Road.
At Bambalapitiya, St. Peter’s were rescued by their open bat Chamindu Perera who batted the whole second day for the home team to force a draw to their match against Trinity. After Petes were reduced to 67 runs, Trinity took a firm grip posting 285 for six wickets declared. The Petes commenced the final day with a huge first innings deficit and Perera rose to the occasion as he anchored the batting line up with a dogged knock. His marathon innings propelled the home team to post 247 for five wickets at close. The Philip and Eddie Buultjens Trophy remained at Bambalapitiya.
At Campbell Place, Nalanda laid their hands on the Bandula Warnapura memorial trophy as Caldera collected a match bag of nine wickets to lead the team to ten wickets victory against Dharmaraja.
St. Sebastian’s pulled off a stunning two wickets win over formidable Mahanama in their match at Moratuwa as Sandeesh Fernando bagged nine wickets to for them to fight back. At Mount Lavinia, S. Thomas’ took batting honours against Wesley as Mahith Perera top scored for the home team in the Mahadevan Sathasivam memorial trophy encounter.
Match Results
S. Thomas-Wesley ends in draw at Mount Lavinia
Scores:
S. Thomas’ 312 for 6 decl. in 81 overs (Romesh Mendis 37, Romesh Mendis 37, Senesh Hettiarachchi 66, Mahith Perera 152n.o., Charuka Peiris 32n.o.; Sanithu Amarasinghe 2/53) and 204 for 5 in 42.4 overs (Sadev Soysa 32, Thisen Ehaliyagoda 22, Romesh Mendis 81, Dineth Goonewardene 47; Sanithu Amarasinghe 2/35)
Wesley 226 all out in 69.4 overs (Sanithu Amarasinghe 58, Chamath Gomez 37, Anuga Pahansara 30, Nilupul Liyanage 25n.o.; Abheeth Paranawidana 2/47, Charuka Peiris 2/48, Kavindu Dias 2/28, Akash Fernando 3/43)
A draw at Sooriyawewa
Scores:
Lumbini 217 all out in 65.4 overs (Dhanitha Sandeth 49, Shahan Kaushalya 62, Yasiru Yugath 30; Puljith Wathuska 4/79, Irushka Thimira 4/68) and 169 for 9 in 47 overs (Dhanitha Sandeth 55, Malith Kawindu 35, Dumindu Sewmina 26; Irushka Thimira 3/38, Pathum Shaminda 2/24, Gimhan Rasanjana 3/32)
Devapathiraja 295 all out in 84.2 overs (Yasiru Lakshan 24, Pawan Sandesh 90, Jeewaka Shashen 54, Gimhan Rasanjana 35, Irushka Thimira 47; Dumindu Sewmina 2/51, K B Sathmina 2/24, Sasanka Nethmina 2/82, Malith Kawindu 4/71)
Chamindu saves St. Peter’s at Bambalapitiya
Scores:
St. Peter’s 67 all out in 29 overs (Nimutu Gunawardana 14, Sanshay Gunathilaka 14; Manula Kularathna 2/26, Kavindu Jayaratne 3/26, Dinuka Tennakoon 2/01, Theeraka Ranathunga 2/06) and 247 for 5 in 105 overs (Chamindu Perera 82n.o., Vishen Helambage 43, Nimutu Gunawardana 23, Kavika Jayasundara 28, Shennan Rodrigo 17n.o.; Wathila Udara 2/28)
Trinity 285 for 6 decl. in 71 overs (Kusal Wijethunga 45, Supun Waduge 65, Dinusha Peiris 70, Manula Kularathna 55; Shennan Rodrigo 2/83, Nimutu Gunawardana 3/32)
St. Sebastian’s stun Mahanama at Moratuwa
Scores:
Mahanama 211 all out in 58.1 overs (Kavindu Amameth 41, Inuka Karannagoda 35, Anjala Bandara 57; Sandeesh Fernando 3/41, Manuja Chanthuka 5/52) and 121 all out in 28.1 overs (Banula Algawatte 32, Rashmika Perera 50; Manuja Chanthuka 2/56, Sandeesh Fernando 6/44, Yashin Fernando 2/13)
St. Sebastian’s 135 all out in 53.5 overs (Adesh Almeda 35, Sanesh Fernando 35, Mahen Silva 25; Duvindu Ranathunga 3/43, Viranga Yeshan 4/38, Inuka Karannagoda 2/23) and 198 for 8 in 54 overs (Vimath Dinsara 69, Mahen Silva 31, Sasindu Prarthana 41; Viranga Yeshan 4/76)
Hiran breaks records at Darley Road
Scores:
St. Joseph’s 414 for 6 in 116.4 overs (Naren Muralidaran 47, Hiran Jayasundara 200, Muditha Dissanayaka 73, Hirun Matheesha 21, Lahiru Amarasekara 21; Dan Poddiwela 2/42, Anush Polonowita 2/36)
Royal 311 for 7 in 84 overs (Sineth Jayawardena 27, Rehan Peiris 62, Sanvidu Senaratharachchi 78, Uvindu Weerasekara 64, Dasis Manchanayake 27; Yenula Dewtusa 2/95, Gagan Chamodh 2/24)
Nalanda win Bandula Warnapura memorial trophy at Campbell Place
Scores:
Dharmaraja 97 all out in 44.5 overs (Onajith Siva 26; Minod Caldera 6/32, Sajitha Vithanage 2/11) and 167 all out in 45.4 overs (Pulindu Perera 36, Isuru Pannala 31, Dulara Bandulasena 26, Thisaru Wanninayake 43; Minod Caldera 3/70, Eranga Jayakodi 3/32)
Nalanda 208 all out in 66.1 overs (Yasiru Samarakoon 49, Sadew Samarasinghe 45, Eranga Jayakody 26, Sajitha Vithanage 25, Thisara Dewdunu 20; Nisala Abeyrathne 2/32, Thisaru Wanninayake 2/62, Pulindu Perera 4/08, Kalana Herath 2/42) and 57 for no loss in 11.4 overs (Rusiru Vilochana 30n.o., Yasiru Samarakoon 27n.o.)
The first truly heavyweight clash of this expanded T20 World Cup format comes freighted with both history and subplots. A rematch of the 2010 World T20 final at Kensington Oval, the match pits Jos Buttler’s defending champions – who are aiming to become the first team to retain the trophy – against the Australian winning machine, victors at the 2021 edition and current world title-holders in Test and ODI cricket. And that’s before you throw in the Ashes for afters.
Already there is added pressure on England, after the rain in Bridgetown led to a share of the points in their opener against Scotland (and that having conceded 90 runs from 10 overs without taking a wicket in a tepid bowling display). Lose to their oldest rivals and it will leave their Super 8 prospects open to being waylaid by the perils of net run-rate calculations, or worse.
The Scotland match was the third abandonment in five suffered by England, after a rain-affected home series against Pakistan, which has clearly hampered their readiness for this campaign after almost six months without playing T20 together. It does not take much for a side to click in this format – and England looked in decent shape when they did get on the field against Pakistan – but Buttler will be anxious for things to go their way on Saturday, if only to avoid further questions referencing the team’s disastrous ODI World Cup defence last year.
Australia, under the laidback leadership of Mitchell Marsh would love nothing more than to add to the English sense of jeopardy – having helped bundle them out of the tournament in India on the way to taking the crown. Their head to head record is less impressive in T20 however, with England having won six of the last seven completed encounters, as well as that 2010 final.
Despite a wobble with the bat, Australia avoided mishap against Oman earlier in the week, the experience of David Warner and Marcus Stoinis shining through in difficult batting conditions. Surfaces in the Caribbean – not to mention those games staged in the USA – have already had teams scratching their heads; rather than the “slug-fest” England had prepared for, following a high-scoring tour of the Caribbean in December, it looks as if boxing smart may be the way to go.
Speaking of Warner, this could be the last time he faces up against England in national colours – and another match-winning contribution would likely reduce the chances of them meeting again in the knockouts. On the other side of the card is Jofra Archer, fresh from an emotional maiden outing at Kensington Oval and ready to take on Australia for the first time in any format since 2020. Can Mark Wood fire up England’s campaign, as he did during last summer’s Ashes? Will Pat Cummins be back to harass the old enemy once again? Seconds out, it’s almost time to rumble.
Cummins is set to return after being rested for the Oman game, which saw Mitchell Starc leave the field with cramp. Starc is understood to be fine and could keep his place – which would likely see Nathan Ellis miss out. Marsh is still not fit to bowl, with Australia likely to continue with the allrounder combination of Stoinis and Maxwell to give them cover.
Australia (probable XI): David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (capt), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis (wk), Tim David, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis/Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood
The one change England may consider is Reece Topley coming in for Wood, with the expectation that there will be some rotation among the seamers through the course of the tournament.
England (probable XI): Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (capt & wk), Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Chris Jordan, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Reece Topley/Mark Wood
[Cricinfo]
Once is coincidence, twice is a clue, and three times is proof.
To paraphrase Agatha Christie, that is the narrative around South Africa’s meeting with Netherlands at this T20 World Cup.
The Dutch beat South Africa at the 2022 tournament and ended their semi-final hopes in a match where South Africa appeared to be sleep walking, and then beat them again at the 2023 ODI World Cup, where they exposed South Africa’s vulnerability in the chase. If they to do the treble, not only will Netherlands take the lead in Group D, but they will offer conclusive evidence of the threat they pose to Full Members, especially South Africa.
Of course, it will take some doing after South Africa’s opening performance against Sri Lanka, where they reduced their opposition to their lowest T20I total and chased it down in fairly straightforward fashion thanks to the most stable middle-order of their white-ball era. In Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, South Africa have bankers and big-hitters and, for this match, they also have the advantage of experience. They’ve already played at Eisenhower Park, and have first-hand knowledge that run-scoring doesn’t come easily;Klassen said they are prepared to use their “cricket brains” and play “smarter cricket”.
But the conditions could be good news for Netherlands, who are not naturally a line-up of big hitters and build their innings on a foundation of turning ones into twos. In other words, they tend to take a slightly more conservative approach to batting, which may work well here, but they’ll be wary of the uneven bounce of the surface and will have to come up with plans to counterattack especially against South Africa’s seamers. Their own bowlers were exemplary in Dallas and will look to build on that performance against a line-up that will likely be more proactive than Nepal’s, but who they have managed to keep quiet not once, but twice in the past. Third time’s the charm, they say.
Anrich Nortje’s stunning return to form against Sri Lanka means South Africa may not have to tinker with the bowling combination, and Gerald Coetzee and Tabraiz Shamsi may have to wait their turns to get a game. The batting line-up should be unchanged, with no space for Ryan Rickelton yet.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markam, Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman, Anrich Nortje
Conditions in New York may tempt Netherlands to include an extra seamer and they have Kyle Klein in their squad. But it could come at the expense of a shortened batting line-up and they may not want to risk that.
Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max O’Dowd, Vikramjit Singh, Sybrand Engelbrecht, Scott Edwards (capt, wk), Bas de Leede, Teja Nidamanuru, Logan van Beek, Tim Pringle, Paul van Meekeren, Vivian Kingma
[Cricinfo]
Nuwan Thushara’s last over brought Sri Lanka screaming back into the match,as he first bowled Rishad Hossain, and then nailed Taskin Ahmed in front of the stumps with a pinpoint swinging yorker. This left Bangladesh eight wickets down, with 12 runs still to get.
However, the experienced Mahmudullah was at the crease for Bangladesh, and despite some further nervy moments, pushed Bangladesh across the line off the last ball of the 19th over.
But this was a match chiefly decided by Bangladesh’s own outstanding bowling. Mustafizur Rahman was the best among them, using shorter lengths and his cutters efficiently, to claim figures of 3 for 17. Rishad Hossain’s three-for through the middle overs also kept Sri Lanka quiet.
Mustafizur was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s downward spiral through the middle overs, which culminated in a crash-and-burn end. Ultimately, their inability to find boundaries, or even rotate strike against good Bangladesh bowling resulted in their downfall. A score of 125 for 9 always seemed poor on a decent pitch, even if their bowlers made a match of it in the end.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh 125 for 8 in 19 overs (Towhid Hridoy 40, Litton Das 36; Dhanajaya de Silva 1-11, Nuwan Thushara 4-18, Wanidu Hasaranga 2-32, Matheesha Pathirana 1-27) beat Sri Lanka124 for 9 in 20 overs (Pathum Nissanka 47, Dhananjaya de Silva 21; Tanzim Hasan Sakib 1-24, Taskin Ahmed 2-25, Mustafizur Rahman 3-17, Rishad Hossain 3-22) by two wickets
[Cricinfo]
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