The first match of the U17 School’s Cricket tournament was worked off at Galle, with last year semi finalists Mahinda College Galle taking on Sri Devananda College Ambalangoda. Mahinda College Galle managed to beat Sri Devananda College Amablangoda by a huge margin of 123 runs in the first fixture played at Teachers Training College ground Balapitiya.
Having opted to bat first Mahinda College went onto score a mammoth 191 for the loss of 9 wickets in just 26 overs. Sri Lanka U19 national cap Navod Paranavithana started things off in brilliant fashion, setting the tone early on in what was a rain affected game. Shakya Sampath top scored for the Mahindians with 62 runs followed up by Kosala Udayanga and Sandrew Induwara with 33 and 21 runs respectively. In the bowling department paceman Lasindu Lakshan took 4 for 40 runs.
Chasing the huge total set, Devananda batsman were bundled out for a mere 68 runs in 17.5 overs. Kushan Madusha spearheading the rout with 4 wickets for just 4 runs. Navod Paranavithaana later joined in on the party running through the Devananda middle order picking up 3 wickets, earning them a dominant 123 run victory. Mahinda College who were unlucky last season to have missed out in the semi-final against champions St.Joseph’s College, have come out all guns blazing and will look to continue this momentum in the games to come.
Mahinda: 191/9 in 26 overs (Shakya Sampath 62, Kosala Udayanga 33, Sandew Induwara 21, Kavidu Lakshan 17, Navod Paranavithana16, Kushan Madusha 10, Lasindu Lakshan 4/40, Vihanga Madhubhashana 2/8)
Sri Devananda: 68 in 17.5 overs (Sasindu Nimesh 21, Kaveesha Kalpana 20, Kushan Madusha 4/4, Navod Paranavithana 3/16, Sachin Thilakarathne 2/15)
