The final round of group games were worked off around the island today in the SLC Under 19 Provincial tournament to determine the four semifinalists in this year’s competition.
Central Province vs Northern Province
Central Province won the toss and elected to bat first at Navy grounds. Gajitha Kotuwegoda stroked a classy 53 but Central were bundled out for a modest 178. S. Mathushan was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up 4 scalps to restrict Central Province. In response Shalith Fernando anchored the innings for Northern Province with a valiant 87, however his efforts went in vain as the remaining Northern batsmen couldn’t carry them home.
Photos : U19 Provincial Tournament – Northern Province vs Central Province
Vimukthi Nethumal ran through the Northern batting line-up bagging a lion share of wickets orchestrating the victory for Central Province as they wrapped up their campaign with a tight finish.
Central Province 178 all out in 45.4 overs – Gajitha Kotuwegoda 53, Dion Stouter 30, Ravishka Upendra 22, S Mathushan 4/21, K Kapilraj 2/45.
Northern Province 172 all out in 39.1 overs – Shalith Fernando 87, Umesh Lakshan 22, Vimukthi Nethumal 4/48, Thimira Supun 2/18, Janidu Himsara 2/23.
Result – Central Province won by 6 runs.
Uva Province vs North Western Province
After winning the toss Uva Province opted to bat first at Moors grounds. Adithya Siriwardane and Chihan Kalindu were the only batsmen who made decent scores as they eventually folded for a below-par 146. Nipun Dhananjaya was the chief destroyer for North Western as he picked up 3 vital wickets to restrict the Uva lads.
In their chase, North Western got off to a good start after Samith Dilshan laid a firm platform with a brisk 74 while Pubudu Ganegama chipped in with a handy 35 to guide the Northern lads to a comfortable 7 wicket victory over Uva Province. Shashika Dulshan bagged a couple for 31 in the Uva province bowling effort.
Uva Province 146 all out in 38.5 overs – Adithya Siriwardena 36, Chihan Kalindu 32, Nipun Dananjaya 3/24, Pubudu Ganegama 2/08, Sheshan Udara 2/44.
North Western Province 148/3 in 25.1 overs – Samith Dilshan 74, Pubudu Ganegama 35, Shashika Dulshan 2/20.
Result – North Western Province won by 7 wickets.
Eastern Province vs North Central Province
North Central Province won the toss and invited Eastern Province to bat first at the CCC grounds. Eastern Province never got going as Shehan Avindya and Damith Samarawickrama shared 6 wickets to dismantle the Eastern Province batting line-up for 69. In reply North Central Province chased down the target with relative ease as a notable 24 extras were conceded by an undisciplined Eastern Province attack.
Eastern Province 69 all out in 26 overs – Shehan Avindya 3/08, Damith Samarawickrama 3/12.
North Central Province 70/3 in 12 overs – M.Sharuhan 3/31.
Result – North Central Province won by 7 wickets.
Southern Province v Western Province Central
After winning to toss the Southern lads decided to take first lease of the wicket in Panagoda. Ravin Yasas top scored with an elegant 65 while, Sasith Maduranga and Avindu Theekshana chipped in with fruitful contributions of 45 and 37 respectively guiding Southern Province to a respectable total. Peterite opening paceman Santhush Gunathilake and Vimukthi Kulathunga were the pick of the bowlers for Western Province bagging 3 wickets a piece.
In their pursuit, Western Province Central lost wickets in regular intervals as they couldn’t build momentum in their run chase. The Western innings stopped at 137 for the loss of 8 wickets when bad light interrupted play. Southern Province were ahead by 77 runs on the Parabola method when umpires called-off play. Southern Province progress to the semi-finals as the runner-up of group B.
Southern Province 242 all out in 49 overs – Ravin Yasas 65, Sasith Maduranga 45, Avindu Theekshana 37, Ravindu Sanjana 22, Ravishka Wijesiri 21, Santhush Gunathilake 3/19, Vimukthi Kulathunga 3/31.
Western Province Central 137 for 8 in 38 overs – Lakshitha Munasinghe 29, Santhush Gunathilake 28, Sanjula Abeywickrama 24, Ravishka Wijesiri 2/11, Dilum Sudeera 2/29.
Result – Southern Province won by 77 runs (Parabola method)
Semi-finalists
- Western Province North vs Western Province South
- North Western Province vs Southern Province
