Shenal scores unbeaten century as Petes advance to semis  

Under 19 Division I Cricket

by Reemus Fernando  

Left-hand bat Shenal Boteju scored an unbeaten century to lead St. Peter’s to a five wickets victory over Mahinda in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ cricket quarter-final played at Darley Road on Friday.

Chasing a target of 193 runs to win the Petes lost their first wicket for seven runs but from then on Boteju anchored the batting line up with a chanceless knock to seal the victory with eight overs to spare.

He faced 124 balls for his knock (10x4s) and put on a second wicket stand of 58 runs with Rusanda Gamage before adding 57 runs for the fourth wicket with Wanuja Kumara.

Deciding to bat first, the defending champions of the Tier ‘B’ tournament were troubled by the Petes’ spinners after Danal Hemananda bowled a controlled opening spell to keep their top order batsmen calm. When Hemananda struck first, open bat Dulana Rajapaksha had faced 28 balls to score five runs.

Pramesh Madubashana, Dinura Kalupahana and Hiruna Mandila made notable contributions but the middle and late order failed to capitalized on their starts.

Hemananda, who took three wickets, was the pick of the bowlers, while Wanuja Kumara, Shannon Rodrigo and Niman Umesh accounted for two wickets each.

St. Peter’s will now meet Isipatana in the semi-final  on April 4.

Scores:

Mahinda

192 all out in 50 overs (Pramesh Madubashana 32, Dinura Kalupahana 45, Hiruna Mandila 37; Danal Hemananda 3/22, Wanuja Kumara 2/35, Shannon Rodrigo 2/34, Niman Umesh 2/29) 

St. Peter’s

193 for 5 in 41.5 overs (Rusanda Gamage 23, Shenal Boteju 102n.o., Wanuja Kumara 30, Danal Hemananda 10n.o.; Hiruna Mandila 2/26) 

Semi-Final Matches of the Division I Tournament

Tier ‘A’

St. Joseph’s V De Mazenod on April 5th at Surrey Village Ground

Richmond V Mahanama on April 7th at Bandaragama

Tier ‘B’

St. Peter’s V Isipatana on April 4 at Surrey Village Ground

Thurstan V Maris Stella on April 6 at Surrey Village Ground