Sajitha, Gayana steal the limelight

Under 19 Cricket

by Reemus Fernando

An eight wicket haul by left-arm spinner Sajitha Vithanage (for Nalanda) and a valuable knock of 153 runs by Gayana Weerasinghe (for Maliyadeva) were the highlights of the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ matches which commenced on Wednesday.

Spinner Sajitha Vithanage picked up eight wickets as Nalanda restricted St. Joseph’s to 204 in their match at Campbell Place. In reply Sadew Samarasinghe (38n.o.) and Manupa Manmitha (34n.o.) put on an unfinished second wicket stand over 70 runs for the home team to reach 76 for one wicket at stumps.

At Kurunegala, Gayana Weerasinghe top scored with 153 runs (in 195 balls) inclusive of 17 fours and a six for Maliyadeva to post 340 for nine wickets at stumps in their match against Gurukula. Maliyadeva are currently placed ninth in the points table in their group and are facing relegation scares. They need to beat Gurukula outright if they are to keep alive hopes of avoiding relegation matches.

At Katuneriya, forced to follow on St. Sebastian’s College, Katuneriya did well to bat for 80 overs and post 295 for nine wickets at close to force a draw to their Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ tournament match against Moratu Vidyalaya.

However, their bold effort is not enough to avoid relegation matches as they are likely to remain in the last four teams in the points table of their group (Y).

Match Scores:

Tier ‘A’

Nalanda restrict Joes to 204 runs at Campbell Place

Scores

St. Joseph’s

204 all out in 68.3 overs (Abishek Jayaweera 32, Aveesha Samash 46, Senuja Wakunugoda 40; Sajitha Vithanage 8/48)

Nalanda

76 for 1 in 29 overs (Sadew Samarasinghe 38n.o., Manupa Manmitha 34n.o.)

De Mazenod 148, Mahanama 115 for 5 at Rathmalana

Scores

De Mazenod

148 all out in 54.3 overs (Nicalo Sharon 58; Inuka Karannagoda 5/32, Koojana Perera 3/17)

Mahanama

115 for 5 in 42 overs (Kavindu Amameth 38, Sithika Kulathunga 28, Koojana Perera 36; Kavindu Kaushalya 4/30)

Maliyadeva

post 340 runs for nine wickets at Kurunegala

Scores

Maliyadeva

340 for 9 in 100 overs (Pehasara Bandara 45, Gayana Weerasinghe 153, Arusha Nisanka 37, Sathsara Bandara 56; Daham Vimukthi 2/76, Thathsara Eshan 3/45, Poorna Kalhara 2/119)

Tier B

St. Sylvester’s take first innings lead at Ambepussa

Scores

Devapathiraja

138 all out in 68.1 overs (Gimhan Rasanjana 33; Isuru Gunasekara 2/15, Punsith Bandara 4/44, Nimesha Silva 3/23)

St. Sylvester’s

146 for 6 in 31 overs (Adithya Waduge 55, Akila Wickramasinghe 22n.o.; Sandaru Malshan 2/34)

Dharmaraja in command at Wattala

Scores

St. Anthony’s

87 all out in 32.2 overs (Chamod Sandeepa 36; Dakshika Manukalpa 5/29, Pulindu Perera 2/02)

Dharmaraja

175 for 2 in 40 overs (Pulindu Perera 68, Onajith de Silva 71n.o., Lakvin Abeysinghe 32n.o.)

Moratu Vidyalaya earn first innings points at Katuneriya

Scores

Moratu MV

306 for 7 decl. in 83.3 overs (Shehara Fernando 84, Deneth Sithumina 38, Nidharshana Fernando 42, Kanchana Nimshan 58; Vihanga Theekshana 2/40, Maheesha Sithum 2/60, Dinidu Dilan 2/15)

St. Sebastian’s,

Katuneriya 146 all out in 34.3 overs (Hasith Kavinda 64; Nishitha Fernando 3/18, Vihanga Nethsara 3/07, Vihanga Nimsara 2/07) and 295 for 9 in 80 overs (Hasith Kavinda 46, Menura Akarshana 31, Maheesha Mihidum 32, Maheesha Sithum 53, Vihanga Theekshana 44, Supun Liyanage 31; Nidharshana Fernando 2/67, Vihanga Nethsara 2/44, Mahith Appuhami 3/62)