Dumindu Sewmina’s dazzling all-round display paved the way for Lumbini College’s astonishing outright win against Thurstan College, Colombo, by a comprehensive 77-run margin, which took place at Thurstan College Grounds, Colombo 07, on January 12th and 13th.
This is the second consecutive outright win for Lumbini College in the U19 Division 1 School’s Cricket Tournament 2023–24.
Lumbini opted to bat first on a docile track and did not manage to build a good opening stand as Nabeel Rajudeen lost his wicket when the score was just 10. Bimsara Weerasinghe was unable to repeat his performance against Ananda, as he soon walked back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Skipper Sahan Kaushalya once again failed to make any significant contribution as he got out for 8 runs. Dinitha Prbhanka soon joined him, putting Lumbini under pressure for 4 for 25. After a 32-run stand between Praveen Maneesha and Ashan Shanilaka, Praveen Maneesha got out LBW off the bowling of Talisha Nanayakkara, the left-arm leg break bowler, who bowled outstandingly well to capture four wickets for just 13 runs. Left-arm leg-spin duo Thalish and Thanuga Palihawadana accounted for six wickets amongst them for just 62 runs. Palihawadana chipped in with two wickets for 49 runs. Yovun Silpa proved effective on this track and picked up 3 for 50 runs. The Thurstan spin bowlers spun a web around Lumbini as Lumbini was struggling at 5 for 57. Then came Dumindu Sewmina, the fast bowling allrounder, who batted outstandingly well for a lower-order batsman and scored the crucial 52 runs, taking Lumbini to some sort of safety. Asahan Shanika contributed with a valuable 38 runs. There were no significant contributions from the Lumbini batters further down the order.
Thurstan, in reply, only managed 105 all out. The top contributors are Thanuga Palihawadana 23 (3×4), Navindu Fernando 21 (4×4), and Shanikya Deshapriya 22 (2×4, 1×6). Praveen Maneesha picked up another five wickets, giving only 14 runs. There was an outstanding spell of fast bowling by Dumindu Sewmina, as he accounted for three top-order wickets for just 26 runs.
With a crucial first-inning lead of 46 runs, Lumbini, batting second, got off to a solid start of 77 runs for no wickets. Bimsara Weerasinghe batted responsibly to score 51 (5×4) and Ashan Shanilka 32 (5×4). There was no significant partnership as Lumbini was all out for 139, leaving Thurstan with a winning target of 185 runs.
However, the Lumbini bowlers were determined as they started to put huge pressure on the Thurstan batters. Dumindu Sewmina bowled brilliantly once again, picking up three more wickets for 37 runs. Reliable Praveen Maneesha picked up four more wickets for just 36 runs to pick up the second nine-wicket match bag in succession. Tanuja Rajapakse scored 35 (6×4), and Skipper Shanikya Deshapriya scored 18 off 15 balls (2×4), which was not good enough to stop Lumbini from recording an outright win by 77 runs.
With this win, Lumbini will remain at the top of the points table.
With two outright wins out of two matches and a seat at the top of the table, oozing in confidence, Lumbini College will fancy their chances as they take on Zahira College, Colombo at the BRC Grounds on January 16th and 17th.
Brief Scores:
Lumbini College – 1st Innings: 151/10 (51.4) – Dumindu Sewmina 52 (7×4, 1×6), Ashan Shanilka 38 (3X4), Praveen Maneesha 16 (2×4)
Bowling for Thurstan: Talisha Nanayakkara 4/ 13, Yovun Silpa 3 /50
& 2nd Innings: 139/10 (50.1) – Bimsara Weerasinghe 51 (5×4), Ashan Shanilka 32 (5×4), Praveen Maneesha 17 (2×4)
Bowling for Thurstan: Thanuga Palihawadana 5/33 Sethru Fernando 4/64
Thurstan College – 1st Innings: 105/10 (38.5) – Thanuga Palihawadana 23 (3x 4), Shanikya Deshapriya 22 (2×4, 1×6), Navindu Fernando 21 (4×4)
Bowling for Lumbini: Praveen Maneesha 5/14, Dumindu Sewmina 3/26
2nd Innings: 108/10 (29.4) Tanuja Rajapakse 35 (6×4) , Shanikya Deshapriya 18 (2×4, 1×6)
Bowling for Lumbini: Praveen Maneesha 4/36, Dumindu Sewmina 3/37
Result: Lumbini College, Colombo won by 77 runs
