Colombo South and Dambulla registered wins over Kandy and Galle, respectively, in the ongoing U15 Sri Lanka Youth League 2024, held today in Colombo.
After opting to bat, Colombo South posted 204 for 6 in a match reduced to 45 overs due to bad weather at the Colombo University Grounds. No. 5 batter Methuka Gunaratne was the top scorer, remaining unbeaten on 67 off 64 balls, with 6 fours and 3 sixes. Opener Nisala Dhamith and No. 3 batter Reshan Solomons also contributed with scores of 44 and 35, respectively.
In reply, Kandy struggled to chase the target as bad light stopped play with their score at 66 for 8 in 38.1 overs. As a result, Colombo South secured their third consecutive victory with a massive 117-run margin by the DLS Method. Methum Fernando was outstanding with the ball, taking 5 wickets for just 13 runs in 8 overs, including 4 maidens. Dushen Uduwela provided great support, finishing with figures of 9-5-17-2.
In the other match played at the Thurstan College Grounds, Galle were bowled out for 93 in 37.5 overs. Dambulla’s opening bowler Chamod Prabasha spearheaded the attack, claiming 5 for 18 in 6 overs, including 2 maidens. Yumal Egodage also impressed, picking up 4 for 13 in 5.5 overs. Galle’s skipper, Sandaru Malshan, fought hard with a 34-run knock off 65 balls amidst the collapse.
The chase wasn’t straightforward for Dambulla, as Hiruk Akalanka led Galle’s fightback with a 5-wicket haul. However, it wasn’t enough, as Dambulla’s skipper, Akein Sujayana, anchored the innings. Opening the batting, Sujayana scored 39 off 55 balls, with 3 fours and 2 sixes, guiding his team to the target in 26.2 overs with 7 wickets down.
Brief Scores:
Colombo South U15 – 204/6 (45) Methuka Gunaratne 67*, Nisala Dhamith 44, Reshan Solomons 35, Vihanga Nethusara, 2/39, Kusal Bandara 2/42
Kandy U15 – 66/8 (38.1) Chanuth Jayasinghearachchi 23, Methum Fernando 5/13, Dushen Uduwela 2/17, Adeesha Lakshan 1/3
Result: Colombo South U15 won by 117 runs (DLS Method).
Galle U15 – 93 (37.5) Sandaru Malshan 34, Manitha Rajapaksha 16, Chamod Prabasha 5/18, Yumal Egodage 4/13, Maheesha Induranga 1/8
Dambulla U15 – 94/7 (26.2) Akein Sujayana 39, Chamod Prabasha 12*, Kalindu Sachinthana 10*, Hiruk Akalanka 5/31, Manitha Rajapaksha 1/5
Result: Dambulla U15 won by 3 wickets.
