S. Thomas’ rattle Cambrians to hand second consecutive defeat

by Reemus Fernando

S. Thomas’ displayed their battle-ready fast bowling arsenal in the season opening traditional Under 19 cricket encounter against Prince of Wales. The Thomians won the two-day match by 137 runs as they restricted the visitors to 80 and 84 runs in the two innings on a green top at Mount Lavinia.

The pace attack consisting of Akash Fernando, Nathan Caldera and Kavindu Dias was responsible for the victory which was achieved with a session to spare on Saturday. The pacemen accounted for sixteen out of twenty Cambrian wickets to fall, a rarity in schools cricket as wickets are prepared to suit spinners more often than not.

Dias and Caldera completed match bags of seven wickets each. Dias picked up four wickets including three early wickets in the first innings to restrict Cambrians to 80 runs. Caldera led with a four wicket haul in the second innings.

For Cambrians too it was a paceman who took bowling honours as Rasindu Fernando took five first innings wickets. Rivith Jayasooriya’s 16 runs was the highest score in both innings for Prince of Wales as batsmen struggled for runs. In contrast, four Thomian batsmen topped 20 runs.

The Thomians have been dominating their home matches during the last two seasons with pacemen dictating terms and this season too visiting teams are likely to be tested by pace. For Cambrians it was their second successive defeat. They were beaten by Wesley during the previous week.

Scores:

S. Thomas’ 109 all out in 39.2 overs (Kavindu Dias 35, Akash Fernando 25; Uneth Peiris 2/19, Rasindu Fernando 5/49, Rusandu Silva 2/08) and 192 for 8 decl. in 44.4 overs (Sadev Soysa 28, Akash Fernando 40, Mahith Perera 30, Darien Diego 31n.o.; Rusandu Silva 2/26, Uneth Peiris 2/50)

Prince of Wales 80 all out in 24.3 overs (Suwas Fernando 12; Nathan Caldera 3/26, Kavindu Dias 4/27, Abheeth Paranawidana 2/13) and 84 all out in 25.4 overs (Rivith Jayasooriya 16; Akash Fernando 2/26, Nathan Caldera 4/28, Kavindu Dias 3/19)