Mishen guides Sebs to a commanding position

Mishen Silva scored an unbeaten 104 runs after St Sebastians won the toss and elected to bat first in the Singer schools cricket U19 division 1 semi-final against S Thomas’ College at the P Sara Stadium.

After long break due to the holidays, School cricket got under away with the 2^nd semi final between St Sebastian’s College Moratuwa and S Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia. The Peterites already secured their spot after a nail biting semi-final against strong contenders Isipathana College and it was up to these two schools by the sea to take the remaining spot.

The P Sara pitch as we’ve seen throughout the past is a batting paradise which made life easier for the skipper of St Sebastian’s to make the decision after winning the toss. Sebastian’s line up was missing their star Avishka Fernando who had to face suspension after an incident occurred in their quarter final against St Servatious College. Even though the Thomians lost the toss, they got the ideal start when Rashmika Opatha and Senal De Silva struck early with the new ball. Sebs found themselves 8 for the loss 2 wickets in just 4.2 overs. However Sebs got back to steady state thanks to a good partnership between Nuwinidu Fernando and Sandaruwan Fernando. Nuwinidu missed out on his half century when he was sent back to the pavilion by Ravidu Tilakaratne for 47 runs.

 Photo Album – St.Sebastian’s College v S.Thomas’ College – U19 Semi-Final 2 

St Sebastians were in a safe position at 91 for 4 in 18.2 overs when the Mishen Silva and Tharusha Fernando got together in the crease. This pair took their team into a demanding position after a massive partnership of 125 runs. Tharusha Fernando scored a valuable 63 runs before he lost his wicket. St Thomas’ used this opening to get two more wickets in quick succession leaving the batting side at 236 for 7. The cluster of wickets did not affect Mishen Silva who reached his century in the last session of days play. He was unbeaten on 104* in 146 balls with 12 4’s and 1 six.

With the ball for the Thomians, Rashmika Opatha took 2 wickets for 17 runs while Yohan Perera took 2 wickets for 51. Play was called off due to bad light when St Sebastian’s were 286 for the loss of 7 wickets in 71 overs. Sebs are in a commanding position and they will look to pile up on their total as much as possible while Sachitha and his team will look to restrict them soon.