Kusal’s century likely to keep top spot for Trinity  

Under 19 Cricket  

by Reemus Fernando

Trinity opener Kusal Wijetunga scored the 18th century of the series for his school as the visitors posted 300 runs against Royal in the 130th Royal-Trinity Under 19 cricket encounter at Reid Avenue on Wednesday.

According to Royal College statistician M.L. Fernando, this series which commenced way back in 1893 had witnessed batsmen scoring 17 centuries for Trinity against Royal’s 31. Yesterday, Wijetunga anchored the top order with the latest century of the series for his school to post a competitive total. Trinity will now look to keep the top spot of the group in the ongoing Under 19 tournament against second placed Royal, who are playing their last match of the league.

This fixture is both a traditional encounter and a tournament match. If Trinity win first innings points in this match they will be able to keep the top spot. If Royal win on first innings then they can overtake Trinity. However, Trinity have one more match remaining in the league to fight for the top spot.

With regard to the traditional series, Royal lead the victory tally 44-25. While 59 matches have ended in draws, there had also been a tie in the series.

Royal registered their last victory of the series in 2015 when Harith Samarasinghe was their captain, Trinity last won in the 2016 season when R.K. Sayer and N.K. Weerasinghe were their captains.

This is the second longest cricket series for Trinity, while their series against Wesley (131 editions) is their oldest.

Meanwhile, in the other matches started on Wednesday, Thurstan were 142 for two wickets at stumps in reply to Mahinda’s 161 runs at Galle. St. Thomas’ Matara amassed 378 runs for seven wickets at stumps against St. Sylvester’s at Boyagane thanks to an unbeaten knock of 136 runs by Jimuth Iddamalgoda.

Scores of Matches  

Kusal’s century propels Trinity at Reid Avenue

Scores: 

Trinity

300 all out in 78 overs (Kusal Wijetunga 103, Rahal Amarasinghe 48, Lakwin Abeysinghe 21, Jayavi Liyanagama 61; Dan Poddiwela 2/32, Anush Polonnowita 2/26, Nethwin Dharmarathne 2/78, Ovina Ambanpola 3/24) 

Royal

50 for no loss in 15 overs (Sanvindu Seneratharachchi 30n.o.) 

 Thurstan strongly placed at Galle  

Scores: 

Mahinda 161 all out in 59.5 overs (Hareen Achintha 45, Pramesh Madhubashana 39; Thanuga Palihawadana 7/34)

Thurstan

142 for 2 in 40 overs (Ramika Sonal 20, Thanuga Palihawadana 27, Shanikya Deshapriya 54n.o., Thenuka Dewapriya 30n.o.; Arosha Udayanga 2/24) 

St. Thomas’ Matara amass 378 against St. Sylvester’s at Boyagane

Scores; 

St. Thomas’

378 for 7 in 100 overs  (Ochintha Chamika 63, Pesandu Sanjana 64, Jimuth Iddamalgoda 136n.o., Senura Perera 61n.o.; Isuru Gunasekara 2/35, K.S. Bandara 2/95)