Under 17 Division I Cricket
by Reemus Fernando
Chamindu Imantha and Janith Mihiranga scored contrasting half-centuries before Tharusha Kodikara impressed with the new ball as Gurukula beat Richmond by 144 runs in the Under 17 Division I Cricket quarter-final at Darley Road on Thursday.
Chasing a target of 258 runs to win Richmond were made to score at a snail’s pace after Tharusha Kodikara and Malindu Salinda rocked their top order taking three early wickets. Tight spells by Daham Vimukthi and spinners Hiruna Fernando, Thathsara Eshan and Poorna Kalhara ensured Richmond’s run rate remain well below the required rate.
Pubudu Mihiranga who anchored the batting line up had to face 95 balls for his 30 runs before he became one of Thathsara Eshan’s three victims in the 40th over. When Eshan took three wickets in the 40th over Richmond had just over 100 runs on the scoreboard.
Kodikara later rattled the late order batting lineup to complete a five-wicket haul and seal the semi-final place.
Deciding to bat first, Gurukula too had a slow start but they managed to score almost 100 runs in the last ten overs to reach their eventual total.
Chamindu Imantha who held their batting together scored 67 runs (in 95 balls) inclusive of three fours and three sixes and put on a sixth-wicket stand of 100 runs with Janith Mihiranga. The latter remained not out on 64. Mihiranga hammered six fours and four sixes in his knock. He faced just 39 balls.
Gurukula will now meet St. Joseph’s in the semi-final.
Scores:
Gurukula 257 for 6 in 50 overs (Poorna Kalhara 26, Thathsara Eshan 38, Chamindu Imantha 67, Didula Eshan 28, Janith Mihiranga 64; Thamindu Pradeeptha 2/43, Minula Dilmith 2/34)
Richmond 113 all out in 42.4 overs (Pubudu Mihiranga 30, Lehan Subasinghe 18, Extras 26; Tharusha Kodikara 5/34, Thathsara Eshan 3/22)