St. Joseph’s College dominated the first day’s play in the 87th Battle of the Saints Cricket encounter against St. Peter’s College, before rain brought a premature end to the proceedings at SSC Grounds, Colombo on Monday.
The Josephians were 233 for 6 in 55.3 overs, when the rain washed off play at 2.08 pm local time. Nearly scheduled 50 overs were lost due to bad weather.
Earlier, after being sent into bat, St. Joseph’s College got off to the best possible start as the two left-handed openers, stand-in Captain Sheran Fonseka and Yesith Rupasinghe, added 120 runs for the first wicket. Both Fonseka and Rupasinghe had no problem in negating the Peterite bowling as they scored 52 and 57 respectively. Fonseka was the first to be dismissed when he was caught plumb in front for a 93-ball 52 by off-spinner Chamelkar De Silva. Fonseka’s elegant knock had 4 fours. In the very next over, Rupasinghe played a reverse-sweep but missed it completely as off-spinner Niman Umesh picked up his first scalp. Rupasinghe top-scored with a 85-ball 57 with 6 fours. Batting at number three, young Hiran Jayasundara played with utmost confidence to hold the inexperienced Josephian middle order. He remained unbeaten on 49. Mithira Thenura made a 18-ball 20, while Keneth Sasmina Liyanage and Shenuka De Silva made 12 and 21 respectively to steer St. Joseph’s to the driving seat. Umesh was the pick of the bowlers for the Peterites, picking up 3 for 55, bowling 16 overs.
Due to national commitments, St. Joseph’s missed the services of their Skipper Dunith Wellalage, batter Shevon Daniel and wicket-keeper batter Sadeesh Jayawardene, while the Peterites did not receive permission from Sri Lanka Cricket to field spin-bowling all-rounder Wanuja Sahan.
The Battle of the Saints two-day Cricket encounter is restricted to 60 overs in the first innings. Both the teams will be hoping for better weather tomorrow (14th December) to recommence play on day two.
