Sandesh guides Devapathiraja to victory

Under 19 Division I Cricket

Skipper Pawan Sandesh scored a valuable half-century to lead Devapathiraja to a thrilling one-wicket victory over St. Servatius’ in their Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ cricket encounter played at Uyanwatta Stadium on Thursday.

Sandesh, who was one of the three Devapathiraja players to be included in the last 25 member pool for the ICC Youth World Cup, anchored their middle order with his half century as the former Division II team reached the target of 206 runs with five overs to spare.

He scored 64 runs which included two fours and four sixes. Jeewaka Shasheen, who is another Sri Lanka Under 19 poolist and Matheesha Saranga made equally valuable 30s. Saranga was also the pick of the bowlers for Devapathiraja as he picked up four wickets. In his ten overs which included one maiden, the spinner gave away just 28 runs.

The vital victory which was their second in the tournament elevated them to the second position in their group above Isipatana. While Lumbini are the tables leaders in Group ‘Y’ of Tier ‘B’, all three leading teams have won two matches each. They are separated by run rate.

In Tier ‘A’ tournament, Trinity scored their first victory in three matches as they rattled Prince of Wales for 91 runs before cruising to a five wickets victory. Sri Lanka Under 19 batsman Pawan Pathiraja made a contribution of 24 runs in their run chase, while Youth World Cup bowler Matheesha Pathirana and Theeraka Ranatunga took three wickets each to contain the Cambrians to 91 runs at Moratuwa.

The victory means Trinity climb four places up to settle for the second position behind Mahanama.

Match Results

Tier ‘A’

Trinity beat Prince of Wales at Moratuwa

Scores:

Prince of Wales

91 all out in 24.5 overs (Omesh Mendis 26, Sumalka Fernando 24; Matheesha Pathirana 3/26, Tharana Wimaladharma 2/08, Theeraka Ranathunga 3/08) 

Trinity

92 for 5 in 26.2 overs (Viduka Dhammage 19, Pawan Pathiraja 24, Manula Kularathne 19n.o.; Mahinsa de Silva 2/23, Achala Perera 2/12) 

Tier ‘B’

Devapathiraja beat St. Servatius at Uyanwatta

Scores: 

St. Servatius’ 205 for 8 in 50 overs (Hasitha Amarasinghe 56, Diniru Abeywickramasinghe 32, Vishwa Supun 37; Matheesha Saranga 4/28)

Devapathiraja

206 for 9 in 44.4 overs (Darshaka Sandeep 24, Pawan Sandesh 64, Jeewaka Shasheen 32, Matheesha Saranga 35; Tharusha Dhamindu 3/27, Viran Chamuditha 3/33) (RF)