Kavin shines as Methodist High School clinch title

Under 19 Division III Tier ‘A’ Cricket Final

Opener Kavin Fernando scored a blistering century as Methodist High School Moratuwa beat Jaffna Central by six wickets to emerge champions of the Inter-School Under 19 Division III Tier ‘A’ cricket tournament at Minneriya on Sunday.

The boys from Moratuwa reached the final as an unbeaten team and lived up to their reputation as they scored the win need of 251 runs with 15 balls to spare.

Fernando was the undisputed star of the final as he scored 14 fours and six sixes in his knock of 141 runs which came in 123 balls. He had the support of wicketkeeper-batsman Thisara Jayanga for a better part of their chase as the pair out on a stand of 157 runs for the second wicket.

Jayanga contributed with 43 runs.

When Fernando departed in the 42nd over they were 32 runs behind the target. Skipper Sihina Fernando and Sandun Fernando then kept their wickets intact to reach the target. Thakuthash Abilash who was introduced to the attack as the eighth bowler took one wicket. Of the four wickets to fall in the Methodist innings three were runouts.

Earlier deciding to bat, opener Jayatheeswaran Vithusan anchored the batting lineup with a top score of 86 runs (in 131 balls with nine boundaries). Matheeswaran Sanjayan (31), Vinajakaselvam Kavitharsan (24n.o.) and Ananthan Kajan (22) were the only other batsmen to top 20 runs.

For Methodist High School Sihina Fernando picked up three wickets for 48 runs, while Naveen Madusanka, Nimsara Silva, Kavin Fernando, Akila Dilruk and Lakshan Chamika took a wicket each.

Scores:

Jaffna Central

250 all out in 49.1 overs (Jayatheeswaran Vithusan 86, Matheeswaran Sanjayan 31, Vinajakaselvam Kavitharsan 24 n.o., Ananthan Kajan 22, S. Sarangan 16; Sihina Fernando 3/48) Methodist High School 251 for 4 in 47.3 overs (Kavin Fernando 141, Thisara Jayanga 43, Sihina Fernando 17 n.o., Sandun Tharanga 14 n.o.)