CMS Sri Jayawardenepura College (formerly Christian College) showcased their dominance across all facets of the game to secure a comprehensive five-wicket victory over St. Thomas’ College, Kotte, in the 14th limited overs encounter of the annual ‘Battle of Kotte’. The match, staged last weekend at the Colts Cricket Club Grounds in Colombo, saw the Jayawardenepura side, fresh from their victory in the two-day Big Match, outclass their rivals to claim the limited overs title.
Winning the toss, CMS Sri Jayawardenepura Skipper Talisha Silva had no hesitation in inserting the Thomians into bat first, sensing early assistance on a pitch that retained moisture from the morning session. The decision paid immediate dividends. Jayawardenepura’s opening bowlers maintained accurate lengths and a tight line, wreaking havoc on the top order. Skipper Talisha Silva struck in the very first over, removing opener Ameesha Shenon for a duck off just the fourth delivery of the game. The Thomian innings never truly recovered from this early blow. Chamindu Ransara followed soon after, and despite a brief cameo of 19 runs, studded with four boundaries, by Thomian captain Dillen Frank, the wickets continued to tumble.
At one stage, St. Thomas’ Kotte found themselves in deep trouble at 58 for 6. A valiant effort to rebuild the innings saw Pahan Ekanayake and Sadil Perera put on a 37-run partnership. However, the loss of quick wickets pushed the Thomians back into hot water at 96 for 8. It was left to the lower order to add some respectability to the scorecard. Set batsman Sadil Perera (41) combined effectively with Nidushan Kaveesha (27) to forge the best partnership of the innings, posting a crucial 55-run stand for the ninth wicket. Thanks to the spirited resistance from the tailenders, St. Thomas’ College was eventually bowled out for 158 runs. The bowling attack for CMS was led by Manuth Malsuka, Nishith Shehenka, and Ranuka Sandeep, who each chipped in with two wickets.
Chasing a modest target of 159, CMS Sri Jayawardenepura’s openers Nishith Shehenka and Anjana Nidusha got off to a flyer. Anjana Nidusha set the tone with a breezy knock of 17 runs off just 11 balls, which included one four and a couple of massive sixes. Following Anjana’s dismissal, Nishith Shehenka anchored the innings calmly from one end. He constructed crucial partnerships, first adding valuable runs with Thulana Sethum (38) and later with Pramodara Sathsara (24). Shehenka held the innings together until he was dismissed for a well-compiled 35 runs, an innings adorned with seven boundaries.
By the time Shehenka fell, the foundation was firmly set. He had been involved in a match-winning 51-run stand with Rusiru Rishmitha. Rishmitha emerged as the stand-out performer of the encounter, crossing the half-century milestone to guide his team to the doorstep of victory. Although Rishmitha was unluckily dismissed late on by a masterpiece delivery from Dimithri Anthony, the Thomian strike came far too late.
>>CMS Jayawardenepura retains K.J. Ranasinghe Memorial Shield in dominating 47th “Battle of Kotte”
In the end, CMS Sri Jayawardenepura Maha Vidyalaya reached the target with ease, posting a resounding five-wicket victory to cap off a successful campaign against their traditional rivals.
Brief Scorecard
St. Thomas’ College, Kotte – 158 all out (46.2 Overs)
Sadil Perera 41, Nidushan Kaveesha 27 n.o, Dillen Frank 19, Nethsara Kawya 12, Pahan Ekanayake 12,
Manuth Malsuka 13/2, Nishith Shehenka 20/2, Ranuka Sandeep 25/2, Chanuka Wijenayake 19/1, Talisha Silva 22/1, Rusiru Rishmitha 24/1, Pasindu Pinsara 30/1
CMS Sri Jayawardhanapura Maha Vidyalaya, Kotte – 159/5 (31.4 Overs)
Rusiru Rishmitha 54, Nishith Shehenka 35, Anjana Nidusha 17, Talisha Silva 11 n.o, Thulana Sethum 10
Nidushan Kaveesha 53/2, Dimithri Anthony 27/1, Tharindu Ranjaka 34/1
CMS Sri Jayawardhanapura Maha Vidyalaya won by five wickets
Individual Awards
Best Fielder – Rasal Weerakkody (CMS Sri Jayawardhanapura)
Best Bowler – Ranuka Sandeep (CMS Sri Jayawardhanapura)
Best Batsman – Sadil Perera (St. Thomas’ College)
Man of the Match – Rusiru Rishmitha (CMS Sri Jayawardhanapura)
 showcased their dominance across all facets of the game to secure a comprehensive five-wicket victory over St. Thomas’ College, Kotte, in the 14th limited overs encounter of the annual ‘Battle of Kotte’. The match, staged last weekend at the Colts Cricket Club Grounds in Colombo, saw the Jayawardenepura side, fresh from their victory in the two-day Big Match, outclass their rivals to claim the limited overs title.){kind=link}