Richmond favourites against Bens as semi-finals start  

Under 19 Division I Cricket

The semi-finals of the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket tournament will commence with St. Benedict’s taking on Richmond, the finalists of the last tournament at Thurstan College ground today.

Richmond are the firm favourities at the bottom semi-final against a team that reached the knockout stage after concluding their first-round matches as group runner-up.

Richmond captained by Tharinda Nirmal registered eight victories as they maintained an unbeaten record to reach the knockout stage as champions of the group.

The other semi-final between arch-rivals Trinity and St. Anthony’s will be played at the same venue on Monday.

Richmond knocked out defending champions St. Joseph’s to reach the semi-final. The quarter-final between St. Benedict’s and Maliyadeva was hampered by rain and the Bens reached the semi-final by virtue of maintaining a higher average of points in the first round than Maliyadeva.

St. Benedict’s are captained by Chamath Chathurya.

Teams

Richmond (from): 

Tharinda Nirmal  (Captain), Kavindu Nirmana (Vice Captain), Ruwan Jayawardena, Janeth Kaushal, Maheesha De silva, Malsha Tharupathi, Sharon Abhishek, Thamindu Pradeeptha, Chehan Subasinghe, Sihath Ramanayake, Sasindu De Silva, Seneth Sisan, Kaveesha Induwara, Manuja Dulneth, Helith Edirisinghe, K.K Yuri, Pubudu Mihiranga,  Charuka Gunasekara. 

Officials:

Nuwan Jayasinghe (Master in Charge), Lakmal de Silva (Head Coach), Umal Udayanga (Asst. Coach) 

St. Benedict’s (from): 

Chamath Chathurya (Captain), Dilan Thabrew, Viduneth Wilson, Sheron Kannangara, Shenel Samarathunga, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, Kojitha Himsara, Vihara Aththnayaka, Mewan Dissanaike, Arshan Joseph, Yohan Edirisinghe, Nilakshana Jayakody, Haren Olagama, Nadun Fernando, Onesh Michael, S. Akshar, Aveesha Weerarathna, Dumindu Yehen, Sheran Dissanaike, Kevin Jason, 

Officials:

Ranesh Perera (Head Coach), Amal Fernando (Asst. coach), Madushan Kularathna (Asst. Coach), Rev. Bro. Dilshan Vimukthi (Master in Charge)