Under 19 Division I Cricket
by Reemus Fernando
A six-wicket haul by left-arm spinner Yenula Dewthusa, all-round performances of Chiran Neththaru and Thenuka Dewapriya were the highlights on day one of the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ tournament and traditional matches which commenced on Monday.
In a crucial Tier ‘A’ encounter between top contenders St. Joseph’s and Mahanama, spinner Dewthusa helped St. Joseph’s contain their opponents to 215 runs. Mahanama were coming to the match after amassing over 500 runs against Zahira in their last match over the weekend. They occupied the crease for more than 90 overs but Dewthusa’s economical spells managed to keep them calm. His bowling figures read 34.1-11-57-6.
At Campbell Place, Nalanda were six wickets down for 71 runs at one stage before skipper Sajitha Vithanage with a less than a run a ball 48 steadied the ship with Senesh Wijesinghe. The latter anchored the tail with a valuable knock of 65 runs for them to post 218 runs. In their essay Thurstan found their third wicket pair of skipper Shanikya Deshapriya and Thenuka Dewapriya putting on an unbroken stand of 120 runs to reach 146 for two wickets at stumps.
At Uyanwatta, the top order clicked for St. Servatius’ to post 180 for three wickets at stumps. Chiran Neththaru excelled with a five wicket haul and an unbeaten 60 runs for the home team. Moratu Vidyalaya were bowled out for 111 runs.
Match Results
Dewthusa takes six wickets to restrict Mahanama at Katunayake
Scores:
Mahanama
215 all out in 91.1 overs (Sachira Weliwatta 55, Viranga Yeshan 44, Rashmika Perera 43; Yenula Dewthusa 6/57, Muditha Dissanayaka 2/28)
St. Joseph’s
12 for no loss in 6 overs
Moratu Vidyalaya 111, St. Servatius’ 180/3 at Uyanwatta
Scores:
Moratu MV
111 all out in 45.1 overs (Isuru Nidarshana 20, Sukitha Devthilina 32; Viran Chamuditha 3/10, Chiran Neththaru 5/23)
St. Servatius’
180 for 3 in 52 overs (Denuwan Pramod 63, Chiran Neththaru 60n.o., Diniru Abeywickramasinghe 40n.o.)
Thurstan looking for first innings lead at Campbell Place
Scores:
Nalanda
218 all out in 61.2 overs (Yasiru Samarakoon 28, Senesh Wijesinghe 65, Sajitha Vithanage 48, Thisara Dewdunu 26; Thenuka Dewapriya 3/34, Vihas Thewmika 3/32)
Thurstan
146 for 2 in 33 overs (Ramika Sonal 22, Shanikya Deshapriya 69n.o., Thenuka Dewapriya 53n.o.)