Western Province Central recorded a 1st innings win against Western Province South in the Prima Under 15 Inter Provincial Cricket Tournament final which concluded today at SSC cricket grounds.
After winning the toss Western Province Central team captain invited the opposition team to bat first. Western Province South team could not pose a good score for the first innings as they were bowled out for just 96 runs. The left arm seamer, Sampath Nissanka captured 5 wickets while the off spinner Thasika Nirmal captured 4 wickets for Western Province Central team.
In reply, Western Province Central team managed to score 170 runs for their first innings. Bawantha Harith top scored with 49 not out and Thasika Nirmal (37) showed his capabilities with the bat as well. With 74 runs behind, Western Province South team began their second innings and showed much improved batting performance compared to their first innings. Western Province South declared their innings at 187 runs for the loss of 9 wickets and set a target of 114 for Western Province Central team.
Sukitha Manoj played a captain’s knock with 74 runs not out and Vinuja Ranpul chipped in with valuable contribution of 30 runs with the bat. Off spinner Thasika Nirmal starred again with the ball for Western Province Central team as he bagged another 4 wicket haul.
When the bad light stopped play, Western Province Central team could only manage to score 75 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. Vinuka Rubasinghe top scored with 24 runs for Western Province Central team. Ashan Fernando was the pick of the bowlers for Western Province South team as he was able to pick up 3 wickets for 16 runs.
Match was drawn but Western Province Central team secured a 1st innings win and thus won this year’s Under 15 Provincial Tournament.
Brief Scores
Western Province South 96 (30.5) Pasindu Pathum 28, Chamod Gihan 23, Sampath Nissanka 5/26, Thasika Nirmal 4/23 & 187/9d (64.4) Sukitha Manoj 74*, Vinuja Ranpul 30, Prabashwara Herath 27, Thasika Nirmal 4/59, Kavindu Pathirathna 2/31
Western Province Central 170 (62.5) Bawantha Harith 49*, Thasik Nirmal 37, Chamod Gihan 2/15, Vinuja Ranpul 2/30, B Mendis 2/35, Began Minuka 2/47 & 75/6 (28) Vinuka Rubasinghe 24, Ashan Fernando 3/16, Priyanga Mendis 2/11
Result – Match Drawn (Western Province Central won 1st Innings)
