St. Josephs College ended day one of the 79th Battle of the Saints on a high after a superb ton by their opening batsman Sadheera Samarawickrama who ended day one with 105* not out.
It was a superb day for the Saints to go in to battle as the sun beamed down at the picturesque P. Sara Oval. The Josephians who tasted defeat last year, managed to win the toss and skipper Sachien Hewawasam sent his opponents in to bat first.
The Oval is known to be a seamers paradise early on and the Josephians were right on the money early on as Fabian Fernando removed the dangerous Shasheen Fernando for a duck to keep the score at 1 wicket for no loss to have the Peterite fan hopes in tatters.
The Peterites managed to recover after the initial blunder and to put on a respectable score. Jason Bultjens was the next man to be dismissed as he was run out for 25 runs by Yashan Samarasinghe. Wickets kept on falling at regular intervals, however it was Janith Liyanage who stood his ground to carve a superb half ton for his side. Liyanage went on to reach this milestone with a majestic six and this showed why he was regarded as one of the better batsmen in the Peters outfit having made more than 500 runs this season.
He eventually got out to Aravinda Akurugoda for 69 runs ending as the highest scorer for this side. Skipper Dushan Hemantha had a day to forget as the senior man was sent back to the pavilion by the leg spinner Akurugoda who ended his first innings bowling grabbing three wickets for 34 runs.
Petes in tatters
At lunch the Peterites were starring down the barrel with just 134 runs on the board losing 7 bastmen in the process with just 33 overs gone in the day. They needed their tailenders to come up with something special and this is exactly what the late order batsmen did as they took their team to an impressive first innings total. Bowlers, Chemila Obeysekera and Julian de Zylva contributing with scores of 20 and 25 runs late down the order.
The Peterite resurrection
However it was the courageous batting from the late middle order batsman, Chrishan Fernando who helped his side to safe shores. It was a patient, but strategic innings by the Peterite batsman who anchored his way through to finish with 47 runs, falling three runs short of a well deserved half ton.
The Peterites after the initial blunders managed to make up for it ending with a commendable first innings total of 238 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 60 over’s.
The Josephians after letting their opponents slip away during the last few sessions needed a solid start from their openers, However Yashan Samarasinghe was the first man to go when the score was on 11, adding pressure to the Josephian camp. When play stopped for tea on day one the Josephians were playing safe with 19 runs with 1 wicket in 7 over’s.
The Josephian batting carnage
The senior Josephian batsmen Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dylan Fernandopulle then bought about the Josephian redemption with a superb comeback. Both players displayed a lot of control and finesse and managed to dictate terms to a Peterite bowling line up which could not insert the necessary pressure to break the partnership.
The duo managed to put up 91 runs for the 2nd wicket with Dylan Fernandopulle departing after splendid knock of 45 runs. With the fall of Dylan, walked in the Josephian skipper Sachien Hewawasam and together with Samarawickrama, the duo managed to chalk up an impressive total at the end of day one.
Samarawickrama who has been their most prolific run scorer came good for the Maradana team notching up a memorable 105* unbeaten runs. It was a terrific knock by the Joesphian opening batsman who put his team in the driving seat at close of play.
In Summary
St. Peters after a disappointing batting display during the initial stages managed to get their act together and post a commendable first innings total to while St. Josephs College replied with a mammoth stand by their two most senior batters.
Summary of the 79th Battle of the Saints
Captains – Sachien Hewawasam (St. Josephs College), Dushan Hemantha (St. Peters College)
St. Josephs College won the toss and elected to field
St. Peters College 1st innings 238/9 declared in 60 overs (Janith Liyanage 69, Crishan Fernando 47, Julian de Zylva 25, Chemila Obeysekera 20, Jason Buultjens 25, Lahiru Milantha 6, Ranitha Liyanarachchi 11, Aravind Akurugoda 3/34, Sachin Hewawasam 2/35)
St. Josephs College 1st innings 180/2 at the close of play in 43 overs (Sadeera Samarawickrama 105* & Sachien Hewawasam 21*)
