Day 2 of the U19 Division 1 semi- final between St Peter’s College and Isipathana College ended with the match hanging in the balance at Thurstan Grounds today.
Second days play commenced with Isipathana at 7 for no loss in 2 overs chasing the first innings total of 246 which was posted by St Peter’s on Day 1. Petes struck early when Chandula Jayamanna took the wicket of K Perera for just 2 runs. Sri Lanka U19 national cap Salinda Ushan looked threatening up the order and he certainly looked apart from the rest. He fell for the bowling of Taneesha Weerakoon leaving his team at 77 for 3. Wicket keeper bastman Vishad Randika who also represented U19 world cup got together with Pramod Maduwantha to put up a 49 run partnership before Maduwantha was sent back to the pavilion by skipper Vinu Mohotty. The all-important wicket of Vishad Randika came through some sheer brilliance in the field by Chathura Obeysekara who ran him out for a well made 48, Isipathana crumbling at 150 for 6.
Peterite spinners took matters to their hands and rattled through the tail with ease. Pathana lost their last four overs for just 24 runs. They were bowled out for just 176 runs in 55.1 overs, Peter’s claiming first innings victory at tea on day 2. The highlight of the innings was the spell from skipper Mohotty and Taneesha. Taneesha came to this match with just 3 wickets short of 100 wickets this season and he reached the milestone with the wicket of Ivanka Sanjula. It has been ten years since a Peterite reached this feat. It was right arm leg spinner Lakshan Rodrigo who achieved this in 2006.
With one and a half days of play left, St Peter’s came on to bat with a lead of 72 runs. Pathana needed wickets early on and it was provided to them by Pramod Maduwantha. Inesh Fernando missed out on the second innings as well when he lost his wicket after scoring only 7 runs. Anishka and first drop bat Hashan hung around for a while but they were not given the opportunity to score freely. Hashan Wanasekara looked solid on the crease, showed good temperament under pressure. He reached 1000 run mark for this season in the last innings, the second Peterite to reach that landmark.
Towards the latter part of day 2, the Peterites gave away few wickets very cheaply. Credit should be given to the bowlers of Isipathana College for being consistent in their lines by not giving away any free-bies. At stumps on day 2, St Peter’s were 107 for the loss of 6 wickets in 48.1 overs. With a lead of 185 runs, anyone would still bet on a comfortable victory for the Peterites but with the batting power that Pathana has they are still in the game.
Chief Scores :
St. Peters College 246 (90.3) Hashan Wanasekara 51, Ranmith Jayasena 41, Manelka De Silva 37, Lakshina Rodrigo 30, Lahiru Dilshan 5/59, Ivanka Sanjula 2/35
& 107/6 (48.1) Hashan Wanasekara 50, Lahiru Dilshan 2/33, Pramod Maduwantha 3/30
Vs
Isipathana College 174 (55.1) Salinda Ushan 46, Vishad Randika 48, Taneesha Weerakoon 4/59, Vinu Mohotti 3/37
