St. Joseph’s, Richmond cruise to the final 

Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket semis 

by Reemus Fernando  

Defending champions St. Joseph’s and Richmond reached the final of the Under-19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket tournament as they registered convincing victories in the respective semi-finals played on Tuesday.

While the Joes secured a five-wicket victory over De Mazenod at Surrey Village ground, Richmond stunned Mahanama rattling them for 63 runs to register 139 runs victory at Reid Avenue.

In a match where the Joes’ Sri Lanka Under 19 players played second fiddle, Hirun Matheesha was the top scorer as he scored unbeaten 64 runs to reach a target of 139 runs with 22 overs to spare. He saw Sadeesh Jayawardena and skipper Shevon Daniel getting out without reaching double figures before adding vital partnerships with Hiran Jayasundara and Dunith Wellalage.

While Jayasundara made 20 runs (in 44 balls), Wellalage hammered 37 runs in just 20 balls (7x4s). Matheesha’s unbeaten knock included (84 balls) 11 boundaries.

Put to bat De Mazenod had only three batsmen reaching double figures. While Mithul Senerath scored less than a run-a-ball 23, Senash Fernando made 12 runs. With wickets falling at regular intervals, Ashen Silva waged a lone battle as he anchored the tail with a half-century. His 56 runs came in 87 balls (5x4s).

Richmond outshine Mahanama

Chasing a target of 203 runs to win, Mahanama had to play with one eye on the D/L target due to impending rain and were bowled out for 63 runs. Tharinda Nirmal was the star of the match as he picked up four wickets to follow up his match-defining half-century. Of his four wickets, three came in a single over (19th over) as Mahanama slipped from 46 for four wickets to 46 for seven within a phase of six deliveries.

It was a huge disappointment for a team that showed lots of promise from the league stage where they remained unbeaten.

After winning a vital toss and batting first Richmond were given a scare by Devendu Kekirideniya who took five wickets. He took three wickets in the 18th over to trigger a mid-innings collapse but Nirmal managed to anchor the team to safety top-scoring with 59 runs. Kekirideniya completed his quota of ten overs for 21 runs (10-5-21-5).

The Tier ‘A’ final between St. Joseph’s and Richmond will be played at Bloomfield on April 12.

Semi-Final Results

St. Joseph’s beat De Mazenod at Surrey Village ground

Scores:

De Mazenod

138 all out in 38.1 overs (Mithul Senerath 23, Ashen Silva 56; Mithira Thenura 2/22, Yenula Dewthusa 2/29, Muditha Lakshan 3/08) 

St. Joseph’s

140 for 5 in 27.2 overs (Hirun Matheesha 64n.o., Hiran Jayasundara 20, Dunith Wellalage 37;  

Richmond beat Mahanama

at Reid Avenue

Scores:

Richmond

202 all out in 49.5 overs (Vishara Fernando 20, Tharinda Nirmal 59, Maheesha de Silva 31, Extras 39;  Duvindu Ranatunga 2/29, Devindu Kekirideniya 5/21) 

Mahanama

63 all out in 22.4 overs (Viranga Yeshan 20; Kalpa Nethsara 3/14, Tharinda Nirmal 4/21, Sharon Abhishek 2/10)