The second day’s play of the 121st ‘Lovers’ Quarrel’ battle between Mahinda College and Richmond College commenced at the Galle International Cricket Stadium today (20th March), with the game remaining evenly poised as neither side managed to seize a decisive advantage by the close of play.
Resuming their innings from an overnight score of 203 for 4, the Richmond College camp looked to post a formidable total. However, they could only add 14 runs before losing their fifth wicket. Ranindu De Silva was the first to depart, caught off the bowling of Manitha Rajapaksha. This wicket marked a significant turnaround for Rajapaksha, who had endured a wicketless opening day, proving he had finally found his rhythm.
Bolstered by this breakthrough, Rajapaksha proceeded to dismantle the Richmond middle order. He struck a crucial blow by dismissing Richmond captain Bevin Jayawardana for a low score of 9 runs. The slide continued as Tenusha Nimsara fell to the bowling of Kavindu Nimsara, leaving Richmond in a spot of bother at 268 for 8.
Just when it seemed Mahinda would wrap up the innings quickly, the tail-enders stepped up. Nethuja Basitha and Punal Hansajith combined for a spirited ninth-wicket partnership of 46 runs, successfully guiding their side past the 300-run mark. Despite their resistance, Mahinda College eventually bundled out Richmond for 315 runs. The run-scoring rate was not as good for Richmond as they have consumed over 131 overs, which is around four and a half sessions. However, they posted a total which can be considered a competitive total on the surface of Galle International Cricket Stadium as far as the school matches are concerned.
- Randinu-Rasanjana stand puts Richmond in driver’s seat on day one
- Richmond out to retain, while Mahinda look to reclaim, but a result is on cards
- Photos – Richmond College Team Preview 2026
- Photos – Mahinda College Team Preview 2026
Manitha Rajapaksha emerged as the standout bowler for Mahinda, recovering from his first-day struggles to claim a magnificent five-wicket haul. He was well-supported by Sadew Nethmina and Kavindu Nimsara, who chipped in with two wickets apiece.
In response, Mahinda College’s openers, right-handed batter Thevindu Rashmika and vice-captain Dulsith Darshana, took to the crease with intent. In contrast to Richmond’s approach, they attempted to provide a fast and steady start, striking a few boundaries early on. However, the breakthrough came when Thevindu Rashmika was caught behind off the bowling of Tenura Dias for 12 runs.
With the opening wicket, Mahinda College batsmen looked for cautious batting, and with some tight bowling, Richmond managed to bring down the run rate of their arch-rivals. As the pressure was mounting, Minaga Ariyadasa bowled a disciplined and threatening spell to remove the vice captain Darshana for a slow 22 runs, leaving Mahinda at 55 for 2. The pressure was on, but Mahinda’s top scorer of the season, Randula Mabarana, joined forces with Dineth Pehesara. The pair steadied the ship, constructing a vital and unbroken partnership of 35 runs to rebuild the innings.
As stumps were drawn on day two, the contest hung in the balance. While Richmond posted a solid but slow first-innings total, Mahinda’s resilient batting response ensured no clear advantage was gained. With the final day approaching, and unless something dramatic occurs in the morning session, another drawn game seems to be on the cards for this historic encounter.
Brief Scoreboard – (Day 2, Stumps)
Richmond College, Galle (1st Inning) – 315 all out (131.2 Overs)
Ravinu Randinu 85, Ameesha Rasanjana 81, Nethuja Basitha 34, Tenusha Nimsara 26, Punal Hansajith 21, Minaga Ariyadasa 16, Ranindu De Silva 14, Manitha Rajapaksha 96/5, Sadew Nethmina 45/2, Kavindu Nimsara 47/2, Kaveesha Githmal 36/1
Mahinda College, Galle (1st Inning) – 90/2 (39 Overs)
Randula Mabarana 29, Dulsith Darshana 22, Dineth Pehesara 22, Thevindu Rashmika 12, Tenura Dias 22/1, Minaga Ariyadasa 24/1
Stumps
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Risinu Rupainghe | b Sadew Nethmina | 8 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 44.44 |
| Senuk Dulmeth | b Kavindu Nimsara | 2 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 11.11 |
| Ravindu Randinu | c Manitha Rajapakshe b Sadew Nethmina | 85 | 202 | 11 | 0 | 42.08 |
| Ameesha RasanJana | lbw b Kaveesha Githmal | 81 | 240 | 8 | 0 | 33.75 |
| Ranindu De Silva | c Sadew Nethmina b Manitha Rajapakshe | 14 | 49 | 1 | 0 | 28.57 |
| Tenusha Nimsara | c Sehas Walpita b Kavindu Nimsara | 26 | 61 | 2 | 0 | 42.62 |
| Bevin Jayawardana | c Dineth Pahasara b Manitha Rajapakshe | 9 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 42.86 |
| Minaga Ariyadasa | c & b Manitha Rajapakshe | 16 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 30.77 |
| Nethuja Basitha | c & b | 34 | 89 | 0 | 0 | 38.20 |
| Punal Hansajith | lbw b | 21 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 51.22 |
| Tenura Dias | not out | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | 19 (b 0 , lb 0 , nb 0, w 19, pen 0) |
| Total | 315/10 (131.2 Overs, RR: 2.4) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sadew Nethmina | 25 | 9 | 45 | 2 | 1.80 | |
| Kavindu Nimsara | 24 | 9 | 47 | 2 | 1.96 | |
| Gasandu Bisas | 10 | 5 | 16 | 0 | 1.60 | |
| Manitha Rajapakshe | 33.2 | 9 | 96 | 3 | 2.89 | |
| Kaveesha Githmal | 19 | 3 | 36 | 1 | 1.89 | |
| Arosha Udayanga | 16 | 1 | 45 | 0 | 2.81 | |
| Sehas Walpita | 4 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 5.00 | |
| Batsmen | R | B | 4s | 6s | SR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thevindu Rashmika | c Ravindu Randinu b Tenura Dias | 12 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 92.31 |
| Dulsith Darshana | c Punal Hansajith b Minaga Ariyadasa | 22 | 61 | 4 | 0 | 36.07 |
| Randula Mabarana | not out | 29 | 109 | 4 | 0 | 26.61 |
| Dineth Pahasara | not out | 22 | 52 | 1 | 0 | 42.31 |
| Extras | 5 (b 0 , lb 0 , nb 0, w 5, pen 0) |
| Total | 90/2 (39 Overs, RR: 2.31) |
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | Econ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ranindu De Silva | 5 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 3.60 | |
| Tenura Dias | 4 | 0 | 22 | 1 | 5.50 | |
| Ravindu Randinu | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1.33 | |
| Tenusha Nimsara | 12 | 6 | 15 | 0 | 1.25 | |
| Minaga Ariyadasa | 13 | 3 | 24 | 1 | 1.85 | |
| Punal Hansajith | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2.00 | |
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