Joes make it through to quarter-finals

Under 17 Division I Cricket

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The first pre quarter final encounter between St. Joseph’s College and Isipathana College which was scheduled to be worked off on Friday the 17th of August was postponed to the next day at Darley Road due inclement weather.

Batting first the Pathana batsmen were greeted to the crease with some brilliant bowling by Ashan de Alwis who ripped through the Isipathana top order with some genuine pace ending up with figures of 3/16.

At one stage Isipathana College looked like they were in some serious trouble as they were 5 down for the loss of 35. Kasthuriarachi together with Ravindith tried to consolidate the Isipathana innings but were unable to score runs freely due to some exceptional bowling by the Josephian spinners, led by Wickramage and Rupasinghe who shared four wickets between them. Isipathana College was eventually bowled out in the 47th over for 102.

Coming into bat the Josephian opening batsmen were back in the pavilion within the first there overs as Isipathana College looked to defend a low score. Jayakody tried to form a partnership with Rupasinghe but was caught at the crease LBW for some lazy foot work.

As the Josephian top order crumbled down, in walked Josephian teenage sensation Dunith Wellalage to the crease who looked extremely comfortable whilst most of his teammates seemed to struggle on a spinning wicket. Wellalage together with Rupasinghe looked to consolidate the Josephian innings once again but an unwanted mix up between the two cost the wicket of Rupasinghe. 

After the dismissal of Rupasinghe, Wellalage looked like he was on cruise control mode as he played some delightful shots to the boundary. Just as the Josephians looked like they were in control once again, Pathana off spinner Thevindu Dikwella picked up two wickets in quick succession  leaving the home team stranded at 80/5. Wellalage tried to hold the Josephian innings together but his nerves got the better off him and he was stumped for a fighting knock of 31.

With St. Joseph’s trailing at 95 for the loss of 8 Sheran Fonseka and Ashain Daniel dealt with singles as the duo crossed over line by a narrow margin of two wickets in hand. The Isipathana bowlers gave away 17 wides in the second innings which could have been a decisive factor of the match.

Isipathana College, Colombo102 (46.3 overs) Yasiru Kasturiarachchi 23*, Lomitha Ravindith 15, Isuru Sandamal 11, Ashan de Alwis 3/16, Yesith Rupasinghe 2/15, Miranga Wickramage 2/13

St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 103/8 (24.2 overs) Dunith Wellalage 31, Thevindu Dikwella 2/10

RESULT – ST. JOSEPH’S WON BY 2 WICKETS & QUALIFIED TO QUARTER FINALS