St. Joseph’s College crowned U19 schools cricket champions

St. Joseph’s College, Colombo won the Singer U19 division 1 schools two-day cricket championship 2017/18 beating Trinity College on first-innings in the final which ended at Colts Grounds on Wednesday.

St. Joseph’s dominate first day’s play

St. Joseph’s College, Colombo dominated first day’s..

St. Joseph’s led by batting all-rounder Jehan Daniel posted a reasonable score of 300 in their first innings on day one after opting to bat first and then bundled out the Trinity batting lineup for just 173 runs on day two as the game ended at around 2.45pm local time.

On the final day, Trinity College resumed play on 35 for 1 and needed a herculean task on a turning surface to topple the Josephians. 15-year old left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage broke the solid 2nd wicket stand between Jeff Weerasinghe and Pubudu Bandara when he cleaned up the former for 24 in the first over of his spell.

Rookie seamer Lakshan Gamage took his second wicket of the match when he trapped left-handed opening batsman Pubudu Bandara in the 18th over to restrict Trinity to 55 for 3.

The responsibility of leading the Trinitians to a victory was upon skipper Hasitha Boyagoda’s shoulders. Boyagoda was tested heavily by the left-arm spin of Wellalage and the pace of Gamage but the Sri Lanka U19 cap played some delightful strokes, collecting 3 fours and 2 sixes during his 34-ball 35.

Watch Replay – St. Joseph’s College vs Trinity College – Singer U19 Two-Day Tournament – Final

Wellalage eventually won the battle when he trapped Boyagoda plumb in front in the 29th over as half of the Trinity batting lineup was back in the pavilion with the score on 102.

Vice-Captain Trevon Percivel, Wicket-keeper batsman Ashan Lokukatiya and Thisaru Dilshan tried their best to save the game for the boys from Kandy but Wellalage and Gamage ripped through the Trinity lower order sharing 7 wickets amongst them as Trinity innings ended in the 69th over.

St. Joseph’s College captain Jehan Daniel was adjudged the Man of the Match for his excellent 142-ball 86 on day one.

St. Joseph’s College last won the All Island Schools Best Team title in 2007 under Rajeewa Weerasinghe’s leadership and the All Island Schools Limited Overs championship in 2011 under Roscoe Thattil’s captaincy.

“We are delighted to win the U19 all-island schools cricket championship this season and as a captain, it is a huge privilege to lead this well-balanced outfit. I was disappointed to have missed out on a century but nevertheless we won because of our team work. “Daniel said exclusively to ThePapare.com after lifting the trophy.