Vidyaloka clinch Under 19 Division III Tier ‘A’ cricket title

Sasindu Muththettuwatte, Umanga Imanjana and Senith Praveen shared bowing honours to contain Jaffna Central to 198 runs and lead Vidyaloka College, Galle the title of the Under 19 Division III Tier ‘A’ cricket tournament at Nalanda College ground on Saturday.

Chasing a target of 211 runs to win, M. Sansajan scored a valuable half century and N. Ajay made 45 but others could not top 20 runs as Vidyaloka bowled well to contain them to 197 runs. Sansajan’s 55 runs came in 88 balls and contained five fours and a six. Ajay’s knock of 45 runs included three sixes and a four.

Electing to bat first Vidyaloka were given a good start buy their openers Lakshan Sandeepa (34) and Chamath Nirmal (29) who put on 60 runs for the first wicket. Kavinda Basnayake scored the bulk of runs. He scored 53 runs in 47 balls with five fours and a six and added 85 runs for the fifth wicket with Sonal Ransara who remained unbeaten on 22 runs to guide them past the 200 run mark.

Vidyaloka reached the knockout stage without much trouble as they needed just two victories to emerge champions in Group ‘J’ in the first round. The team captained by Pasindu Lakshan beat Debarawewa National School and Wanduramba Central College. Vijitha Central, Dickwella and Madampa Central withdraw from the tournament making it a three-way battle in the first round.

During the knockout stage they beat Badulla Central in the pre-quarter final round. Their quarter-final ended in a no result but they were able to advance to the semi-finals thanks to their superior run rate over Ibbagamuwa Central. In the semis they edged out Methodist High School Moratuwa in the semifinal.

According to Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association 56 teams participated in the first round in 10 groups in this tournament.

Scores:

Vidyaloka

210 for 6 in 50 overs (Kavinda Basnayaka 53, Lakshan Sandeepa 34, Chamath Nirmal 29, Yasith Deshan 22, Sonal Ransara 22 n.o.; N. Ajay 2/38)  

Jaffna Central

197for 8 in 50 overs (M. Sansajan 55, N. Ajay 45, B. Inthujan 16, T. Gowtham 15 n.o., J. Vithushan 14; Sasindu Muththettuwatte 2/38, Umanga Imanjana 2/39, Senith Praveen 2/50)