After winning the under 19 division 3 and 2 championships in 2013 and 2014 respectively, Anuradhapura Central College got their dream under 19 division 1 debut match against Bandaranayake College, Gampaha at Kadirana grounds and the match ended in a draw.
The young and gutsy boys from the ancient city of Anuradhapura have made vast strides in the Lankan schools cricket set up and in their first game in the top division they fared very well.
Bandaranayake College won the toss and elected to bat first but they could only manage 116 runs in their 1st innings. Vinod Srivinda top-scored with 48 runs while Chandula Bandara was the most impressive bowler for the boys from Anuradhapura. The visiting team failed narrowly to surpass the score posted by the home team as they were restricted to 110 in their 1st innings. Praveen Neomal and Shanuka Kelum stroked the best knocks with 37 and 24 respectively. Danuka Lakshitha and Himath Jayaweera shared 6 wickets for the boys from Gampaha.
Bandaranayake College in their 2nd innings failed to cross the hundred run mark as they were bundled out for a mere 92. Chandula Bandara continued his excellent work with the ball as he took a five-wicket haul while Pasindu Ishantha managed to dismiss four Bandaranayake batsmen.
Chief Scores:
Bandaranayaka College (1st inn) – 116 all out in 35.1 overs: Vinod Srivinda 48, Chandula Bandara 4/20, Pasindu Ishantha 3/32, Sachin Randima 2/17.
Anuradhapura Central College (1st inn) – 110 all out in 43.5 overs: Praveen Neomal 37, Shanuka Kalum 24, Danuka Lakshitha 4/11, Himath Jayaweera 2/13.
Bandaranayaka College (2nd inn) – 92 all out 32.4 overs: Rathsara Vithana 24, Chandula Bandara 5/34, Pasindu Ishantha 4/35.
Anuradhapura Central College (2nd inn) – 3/2 in 1.2 overs.
