Avindu Theekshana and Sandun Mendis starred as Richmond College, Galle made a smashing comeback to take major honours against Ananda College, Colombo in the opening day of the Singer U19 Schools Division 1 League Final which started today at Thurstan grounds.
Avindu Theekshana spins Southern Province to title
Southern Province U19s beat the Western Province South U19s by 26 runs on D/L to emerge champions..
Richmond College skipper Kamindu Mendis won the toss and elected bat first on a dry surface. The decision soon backfired on the lads from down south as they lost four quick wickets in a cantor (22/4) with star batsman and under 19 skipper Kamindu Mendis along with Dhananjaya Lakshan were sent back into the shed in quick succession.
Richmond lost two more wickets in a hurry before Avindu Theekshana and Thaveesha Abishek put on a fighting 76 run partnership for the 5th wicket. Thaveesha lost his wicket at a crucial stage prior to the lunch break after scoring a well-made 46 off 81 deliveries.
Left-handed Theekshana who helped Southern Province to the SLC U19 Provincial title yesterday went onto compile a much-deserved half-ton just after the lunch time interval as he was joined in the middle by Ravishka Wijesiri. Their stand of 36 soon came to an end when off-spinner Supun Waragoda spun a web around Ravishka to cap his wicket for 21.
Photo Album: Ananda vs Richmond – U19 Schools Cricket Finals Day 1
Fresher Kasun Tharaka joined Avindu Theekshana for the 7th wicket partnership in the middle as Richmond looked to press on the accelerator to surpass the 200-run margin.
After the tea break, Ananda College hit back strongly with two timely wickets with Theekshana trapped in-front of the stumps off Waragoda. He stroked an excellent 80 runs off 160 deliveries that included 10 boundaries and his partner Kasun Tharaka for a handy 25 runs.
Ananda seek glory against fancied Richmond
Ananda College walk into the final of the Under 19 Schools Cricket..
All-rounder and younger brother of Captain, Kamindu, Sandun Mendis and wicket keeper batsman Duveen Kalansuriya got together and constructed a match-saving, unbroken 105-run partnership for the 9th wicket to propel Richmondites to 307 for 8 wickets at stumps. Mendis stroked an unbeaten 64 off 99 balls, while Kalansuriya contributed with a classy 36 runs.
Waragoda was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up 4 wickets for 91 runs and left-arm spinner Asel Sigera chipped in with 2 wickets.
The game will continue tomorrow for day two.
Brief Scores
Richmond College – 307/8 in 95 overs – Avindu Theekshana 80, Sandun Mendis 64*, Thaveesha Abishek 46, Duveen Kalansuriya 36*, Kasun Tharaka 25, Supun Waragoda 4/91, Asel Sigera 2/80.
