Right-arm medium fast-bowler Charana Nanayakkara ripped through the St. Joseph’s College batting lineup as they were bowled out for only 23 runs in their first innings against Thurstan College in their ‘Singer Trophy’ U19 division 1 ‘group D’ encounter at Thurstan grounds on Thursday.
After opting to bat first on a greenish surface, the Josephians lasted only 75 minutes as they bundled out for 23 in 13.5 overs. First change bowler, Nanayakkara playing his 5th year for Thurstan bowled on a fuller length and swung viciously to take 8 wickets for just 15 runs in 4.5 overs. None of the Josephian batsmen got to double figures as 8 of them were either bowled or LBW.
In reply, the home team posted 227 runs in 46 overs. Number 6 batsman, Yeshan Wickramarachchi smashed 3 sixes and 8 fours during a stunning 70-ball 69 to up the tempo of the innings. Nanayakkara made 20 while Nipun Lakshan scored a quick-fire 38 off 35.
Fast-bowler Jehan Daniel persistently troubled the Thurstanites to take 5 wickets for 81 runs in 14 overs while left-arm spinner, Havin Perera grabbed 3 for 49 for the Josephians.
The Josephians started off their 2nd innings with 204 runs behind and they were once again tormented by Nananayakkara who grabbed the top three wickets of Thashan Perera, Revan Kelly and Nipun Sumanasinghe cheaply.
Dineth Madurawala battled hard with an unbeaten 29 as the visitors were 84 for 4 at stumps on day one and they are still trailing by 120 runs.
Incidentally, the first innings score of 23 by St. Joseph’s College is their equal lowest score in their 120-year old cricketing history. Under Peter Halackone, St. Joseph’s College was bundled out for 23 in 1926 against St. Anthony’s College, Katugasthota.
Thurstan College has never defeated St. Joseph’s College on outright in their past 38 cricketing encounters.
St Joseph’s – 23 all out in 13.5 overs: Charana Nanayakkara 8/15.
Thurstan – 227 all out in 46 overs: Yeshan Wickramarachchi 69, Nipun Lakshan 38, Charana Nanayakkara 20, Jehan Daniel 5/81, Havin Perera 3/49.
St. Joseph’s (2nd inn) – 84/4 in 23 overs: Dineth Madurawala 29*, Jehan Daniel 21, Charana Nanayakkara 3/37.
St. Sebastian’s College vs Richmond College
Damien De Buyzer’s stunning 129 was the shining light for St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa in their crucial U19 division one ‘group A’ against Richmond College, Galle at Moratuwa.
Apart of De Buyzer, Tharusha Fernando cracked 83 as they put up a solid 340 on the board after skipper Mishen Silva opted to bat first. The Richmondites in reply made a cracking score of 124 for 2 at close of play. Left-handed Dhananjaya Lakshan made a blitzkrieg 70 while skipper Kamindu Mendis remained unbeaten on 44.
St. Sebastian’s – 340 all out in 60.1 overs: Damian De Buyzer 129, Tharusha Fernando 83, Nuwanidu Fernando 31, Sandun Mendis 3/117, Kaveesha Abhishek 2/28.
Richmond – 124/2 in 23 overs: Dhananjaya Lakshan 70, Kamindu Mendis 44*.
De Mazenod College vs Maliyadeva College
Skipper Krishan Sanjula smashed an unbeaten 171 as De Mazenod College, Kandana dominated their U19 division 1 ‘group D’ encounter against Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala at Kandana.
Maliyadeva – 167 all out in 41.3 overs: Dananjaya Premarathne 51, Damitha Silva 27, Supun Sumanarathne 26, Deshan Fernando 5/39, Roshitha Senevirathne 5/42.
De Mazenod – 232/7 in 51 overs: Krishan Sanjula 171*, Damitha Silva 4/56.
D.S Senanayake College vs Anuradhapura Central College
Sashika Gamage’s excellent 137 helped D.S Senanayake College take firm control in their U19 division 1 ‘group C’ encounter against Anuradhapura Central College in Anuradhapura.
DS Senanayke – 306/6 declared in 52 overs: Sashika Gamage 137*, Vihan Gunasekara 51, Shehzaad Ameen 46, Dasun Himasha 25, Muditha Lakshan 24, Maduranga Sri Chandrarathna 2/108.
Anuradhapura Central – 121/9 in 42.2 overs: Dhananjaya Thamvita 35, Dasun Himasha 3/23, Muditha Lakshan 3/22.
All four matches will be continued tomorrow (7th October) for second and final day’s play.
