The under 19 Cricket fixture between Thurstan College and St. Joseph’s College was played on the 6th and 7th of October 2016 at the Thurstan College grounds in Colombo 7.
St. Joseph’s won the toss and elected to bat on a grassy pitch. They would have regretted this decision as they were bundled out for a mere 23 runs in 15 overs. The main destroyer was medium paceman Charuka Nanayakkara, who returned magnificent bowling figures of 8 wickets for 15 runs in 5 overs. Nanayakkara was rewarded for accurate bowling, keeping the ball at a full length and moving it in the air and seaming it off the pitch. His accuracy is reflected in that, of the 8 scalps, 4 were LBW and 2 were clean bowled. He was well supported by Nipul Lakshan bowling at a lively pace from the other end who had figures of 1 for 6 in 7 overs.
Thurstan, going into bat halfway through the 1st session of play, showed positive intent from the outset and scored 227 runs in 46 overs. However, they lost wickets at regular intervals until a 62 run partnership for the 6th wicket between Yeshan Wickremarachchi and Navod Samarakoon swung the game in their favour. Wickremarachchi used the lofted shot over the bowler’s head and the slog sweep to good effect to top score in making 69 runs in 70 deliveries. Jehan Daniel, bowling at a lively pace, captured 5 for 81 in 14 overs. Left arm spinner Havin Perera, who had to fill in for his injured captain Harin Cooray, settled down after a nervous start to take 3 for 49 in 12 overs. Had the Josephian opening bowlers bowled a more consistent line and length from the commencement of the Thurstan innings they would have been in a position to restrict Thurstan to a lower score.
St. Josephs going into bat in the 2nd innings once again lost wickets to the bowling of Nanayakkara and ended the day on 89 for 4. Jehan Daniel, who was driving the ball powerfully, was caught at extra cover trying to drive left arm spinner Dias on the up. Dineth Madurawala and Pahan Perera batted till the close of Day 1.
The overnight pair quite correctly batted cautiously at the start of Day 2 and continued to build a useful partnership. Madurawala showed good technique in getting behind the line of the delivery and presenting a straight bat. Although Pahan Perera was not as good technically, he batted with determination to post a partnership of 83 runs for the 5th wicket. Just when they looked set to bat on till the lunch break, Pahan pulled a short delivery from spinner Dias straight into the hands of the deep mid wicket fielder, to depart after scoring a valuable 42 runs. Shevon Fonseka joined Madurawala and put on a partnership of 51 runs for the 6th wicket. The 7th wicket yielded 37 runs and the 8th wicket 31 runs. By the time the last man joined Madurawala, the Joes had wiped off the deficit and had a lead of 60 runs with 15 mandatory overs to be bowled. By now Madurawala had completely thrashed the Thurstan bowling attack and played some delightful strokes to all parts of the grounds. When play was called off due to bad light, he had compiled 144 not out in a batting display of the highest quality, occupying the crease for nearly 7 hours to prevent Thurstan from gaining an outright victory which seemed most likely at the commencement of the 2nd Day.
