The third edition of the “Battle of the Blazing Blues” unfolded at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium during the last weekend, and the lasses from Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy, went for a dominating 23-run victory over their arch rivals, St. Anthony’s Convent, Katugastota. Sri Lankan Women’s Under-19 player Aseni Thalagune shone in all three departments to seal the game for the Mayans, while the fighting knock of Kavishka was not enough to propel the Anthonians.
The Anthonians Captain Kaumini Ranasinghe won the toss and decided to bowl first. The Anthonians managed to successfully chase down the target in the previous big edition, and this reason and the possibility of rain, may have influenced the decision.
However, the convent lasses failed to take advantage of the new ball as the Mayans batters were watchful and resilient. Later on, they picked up their run rate, and Sri Lankan Under-19 capped player Aseni Thalagune was exceptional with the bat as she delivered some spectacular cover drives, late cuts, pull shots and slog sweeps to score boundaries all over the grounds. In the meantime, Ganithya Kothalawala played a gem of an inning by securing her wicket and giving more striking chances to the aggressive batter.
The bowling department of St Anthony’s Convent was ill-disciplined as they gave a considerable number of extras regularly. For the same reason, they were not able to build pressure on the Mayans by drying up the runs. The opening pair had a mammoth partnership of 130 runs within 19 overs, with 11 overs and 10 wickets in hand. By that time, 200+ scores were surely on cards for the Mayans.
>>Upcountry rivalry continues as Mahamaya and St. Anthony’s Convent battle for the supremacy<<
Then Maleesha managed to break the partnership with an excellent good-length delivery to dismiss Ganithya. In the following over, the dangerous batter Aseni Thalagune was not able to nail a juicy full toss delivery and was caught midwicket. Then wickets were tumbling, and the Mayans were never able to regain their lost rhythm. Meanwhile, the Anthonian girls managed to bowl and field well to restrict their opponents to 172 runs by taking 7 wickets. Sadly, the Mayans were able to accumulate only 42 runs during the final 11 overs after an excellent opening partnership.
Aseni Thalagune made a match-winning knock with 72 runs from just 64 balls, and her mate Ganithya made a slow but solid 29 runs. Other batters were never able to make an impact on the game. Malisha and Malmi were outstanding with the ball by picking up two wickets each, while Dulina and Kaviska shared two scalps.
Maleesha Berenger started the chase with the standout batter Kavishka Abeyrathne. The Mayans managed to break the opening stand for 21 runs as Yenuli struck with a slower delivery. Then Poornima Gunawardhana joined with Kavishka and raised the total to 58 runs. Suddenly the star of the day, Aseni, took a brilliant catch at the first slip position by diving forward to break the stand that threatened the Mayans. Later, St Anthony’s had another 31-run partnership, but Sanuki deceived the set batter Malmee Herath with a caught and bowled.
Then the Mayans brigade tightened their pressure by picking up another couple of wickets. The Anthonians failed to rotate the strike, with even the boundaries failing to come – hence the asking rate skyrocketed during this passage of play.
Though all the batters failed to tackle Mahamaya bowlers, the strong lass, Kavishka Abeyrathne, kept one end with her and fought hard like a Captain who was not willing to desert a sinking ship. She managed to put together an unbeaten 38-run partnership with Chamodi from just 26 balls. Though Kavishka thrashed the set bowler Aseni in the final over for 15 runs, it was too late for the Anthonians, and the Mayans comfortably won by 23 runs.
Kavishka made an unbeaten 70 runs from just 79 balls, but they could not topple the Mayans as she didn’t have enough support from the other end. Sanuki Pathirage was exceptional with her bowling by picking up one wicket, but most importantly, she dried up the runs by completing her 6 overs for just 14 runs. Furthermore, Yenuli, Hiyathma and Aseni were too good with the ball.
The presentation ceremony was graced by the presence of former Sri Lankan Women’s Cricket Captains, Rasanjali de Alwis and Thilaka Nilmini Gunarathne. Furthermore, the two principals who had done a remarkable job coordinating the overall event, Mrs Shashikala Senadhera (Mahamaya) and Mrs Udeni Dunuwila (SAC), were present at the event.
Brief Scoreboard of the Game
Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy
Aseni Thalagune 72 (64) , Ganithya Kothalawala 29 (62), Yenuli Amarasinghe 10 (16), Hashari Kaushalya 9 (17),
Meleesha Berenger 23/2, Malmee Herath 27/2, Kavishka Abeyrathne 17/1, Chamodi Mendis 18/1, Duleena Fernando 17/01
St. Anthony’s Convent, Katugastota
Kavishka Abeyrathne 70 (79)*, Poornima Gunawardhana 17 (36), Malmee Herath 14 (25), Meleesha Berenger 11 (18)
Sanuki Pathirage 14/1, Yenuli Amarasinghe 17/1, Hiyathma Jayarathna 16/1, Aseni Thalagune 49/1
Special Awards
Player of the Match – Aseni Thalagune (Mahamaya)
Best Batter – Kavishka Abeyratne (St. Anthony’s)
Best Bowler – Sanuki Pathirage (Mahamaya)
Best Fielder – Chamodi Mendis (St. Anthony’s)
