Last year’s under 19 division one league runner-up, Thurstan College recorded a first-innings win over S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia in their drawn encounter which concluded at Thurstan grounds on Thursday.
Thurstan skipper Charana Nanayakkara won the toss and elected to bowl first. The visitors made 229 all out in 67.4 overs after being 190 for 7 in 55.1 overs at the end of first day.
The experienced opening pair of Ravindu Kodituwakku and Rashmika Opatha scored 31 and 21 respectively while skipper Sachitha Jayathilake pummeled a fighting 89 in 124 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Number 9 batsman, Shenal De Silva contributed with 25 for the Thomians.
In the bowling department, Navod Samarakoon was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts as he picked up 3 wickets while spin duo, Naveen Gunawardene and Ayesh Weeraratne grabbed 2 scalps apiece.
Thurstan in their reply started brilliantly with a grand opening stand of 57 between wicket-keeper batsman Kasun Abeyratne and Salinda Samaranayake. Both batsmen fell in quick succession to the bowling of Ravindu Thillakaratne and Sachitha Jayathilake.
The bulk of the runs came through skipper Charana and senior batsman, Sajith Gunathilake. Sri Lanka under 19 poolist, Charana struck an unbeaten 76 in 115 balls with 4 fours and 3 sixes while right-handed Sajith stroked a 134-ball 55 with 3 fours.
The home team were 243 for 4 when bad light ended the game on Thursday evening.
S. Thomas’ – 229 all out in 67.4 overs: Sachitha Jayathilake 89, Shenal De Silva 25, Ravindu Kodituwakku 31, Rashmika Opatha 21, Navod Samarakoon 3/15, Ayesh Weerarathne 2/25, Naveen Gunawardene 2/47.
Thurstan – 243/4 in 71.3 overs: Kasun Abeyratne 26, Salinda Samaranayake 33, Sajith Gunathilake 55, Prageeth Mendis 24, Charana Nanayakkara 76*, Sachitha Jayathilake 2/49, Ravindu Thilakarathne 1/43.
