Under 19 Division I Tier B Cricket Semi-Finals  

by Reemus Fernando   

Lumbini College captained by Sahan Kaushalya will seek a historic final berth against formidable Ananda as the two teams meet in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ Limited Overs Tournament semi-final at Campbell Place today.

Lumbini have reached the semi-finals of an Under 19 Limited Overs tournament for the first time in more than two decades. They have not reached a final since the team captained by Sandun Senanayake emerged as joint champions with Maris Stella during the 1999/2000 season.

Currently, the Under 19 Division I tournament is conducted in two Tiers. Lumbini competed in Group ‘Y’ of the Tier ‘B’ tournament where they registered victories against Dharmasoka, Moratu Vidyalaya, Devapathiraja and Thurstan. They conceded defeat at the hands of Zahira and Mahinda but their three bonus point victories were enough to secure them the runner up position in their group behind Thurstan. At the quarter-finals they beat St. Aloysius’.

While open bat Nabeel Rajudeen (320 runs in eight matches, highest- 141 runs against Devapathiraja) and skipper Sahan Kaushalya (204 runs in eight matches) have done well with the bat, spinner Praveen Matheesha (13 wickets in eight matches) has been the key strike bowler for them.

Ananda have frequented the business end of the Limited Overs Tournament more often than their semi-final rivals with their last semi-final appearance coming soon after the Covid 19 pandemic in the 2020/2021 season.

On paper, the team captained by Iruth Gimshan look formidable and carry a slight edge. Ananda recorded six victories during the league stage to emerge champions in Group ‘X’. In the quarter-final they beat St. Sebastian’s, Katuneriya.

Isuru Ayesh, Minaga Perera and Ashinsa Nainayake in the bowling department and Nethula Edirimanne, Kanchana de Livera, Kenul de Zoysa and skipper Gimshan with the bat have done well for Ananda during the league stage.  Ayesh is their key strike bowler and is likely to play a decisive role in today’s match.  The winners of this semi-final will meet the winners of the match between St. Peter’s and Thurstan in the final.

Teams  

Ananda (from):

Iruth Gimshan (Captain), Ashinsa Nainayake (Vice Captain), Nethula Edirimanne, Kanchana de Livera, Kenul de Zoysa, Ayesh Shashimal, Kithma Widanapathirana, Kaveesha Mendis, Dinada Athalage, Minaga Perera, Ruvishan Perera, Isuru Ayesh, Rashan Dilaksha, Mihin Munasinghe, Yasandu Kiriella, Lithma Perera, Tishan Senevirathne, Daniru Ranasinghe, Natheesha Rukshan, Dasith Batugahage. Officials: Saman Hettiarachchi (Master in Charge), Janudika Sriyapala (Head Coach), Sanjaya Dewapura (Asst. Coach) 

Lumbini (from):

Sahan Kaushalya (Captain), Gihan Lakshitha, Nisal Madhushan, Binuja Pramodya, Dinitha Prabhanka, Ashan Shanilka, Ushan Sathsara, Praveen Maneesha, Yuran Sandika,Yashod Kavindu, Vishwa Bandara, Subashith Dinamika, Janindu Lahiru, Nabeel Rajudeen, Dumindu Sewmina, Ishath Dilshan, Bahsika Sethmina, Dinal Sewmina, Pasindu Maneesha. Officials: Panduka de Silva (Master in Charge), Dinesh Weerasinghe (Head Coach), Lalanga Rajapaksha (Asst. Coach)