The U19 Division I schools cricket tournament kicked off for the season 2024/25 this week with 2 games ending their play on day one today (4th October), while two other matches ended in tame draws.
St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa hosted Royal College, Colombo for their first game in the U19 Division I schools cricket tournament 2024/25 season at Moratuwa. Visitors won the toss and elected to bat first, they put on a score of 222 which is a bit below par with the ground conditions at St. Sebastian’s College grounds. 2nd year coloursman Yasindu Dissanyaka top scored for the Royalists with 86 and he was supported by fresher Shane Abeyratne with an impressive half-century.
For the host’s Malintha Silva was the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets. In reply, St. Sebastian’s cruised through to the end of the day’s play with just losing only two wickets and surpassing the royal 1st inning total of 222 inside 41 overs. Skipper Ryan Dissanayaka ended the day at 92 not out. Openers Ushen Silva and Kaveesha Perera also scored half-centuries to make the St. Sebastian’s scoreboard as pretty as 243 for the loss of 2 wickets with Kaveesha Perera losing his wicket in the final delivery of the day.
At Mount Lavinia, S. Thoma’s College hosted St. Anthony’s College, Kandy where day one ended making the game evenly poised for both the teams. S. Thomas’ batting first was rattled for just 99 runs in their 1st innings by the Antonians. Skipper Charuka Ekanayake picked 4 scalps making the biggest impact with the ball. St. Anthony’s in reply were also bowled out in their 1st innings before the end of the days play. 3rd year coloursman Abheeth Paranwidana Picked up 5 wickets bringing the Thomains back into the game. St. Anthony’s amid all the wickets tumbling left right centre in the middle managed to secure the 1st innings points as of now with all to play in the 2nd day of the game.
Although the other two games concluded today without results, Nalanda College secured first innings points against Gurukula College, Kelaniya.
Ironically, Thurstan College also claimed first innings points against Mahinda College, Galle, where both teams batted over 80 overs in their respective first innings.
Brief Scores:
Royal College – Colombo 222 (64.1) Yasindu Dissanayaka 86, Shane Abeyratne 59, Isula Geeganage 32, Malintha Silva 4/59, Koshendra Silva 3/58
St. Sebastian’s College – Moratuwa 243/2 (40.5) Ryan Dissanayaka 92*, Ushen Silva 89, Kaveesha Perera 53
Stumps – Day 1
S. Thomas’ College – Mt. Lavinia 99 (42.2) Dineth Goonawardene 31, Avinash Fernando 21, Charuka Ekanayake 4/27, Dinura Ganegoda 2/16 & 27/1 (13)
St. Anthony’s College – Kandy 129 (39.1) Kaushika Kumarasinghe 33, Sanuka Kalpana 31, Abheeth Paranawidana 5/42, Anshane De Silva 2/6
Stumps – Day 1
Nalanda College – Colombo 193 (76.1) Hasith Rathnayake 41, Nemidu Akmeemana 35, Malsha Fernando 33, Poorna Kalhara 3/63, Daham Vimukthi 2/20 & 187 /7 (54.4) Manupa Manmitha 54, Santhul Wijeyarathne 37, Risath Jayarathna 31, Javindu Madusanka 2/15, Poorna Kalhara
Gurukula College – Kelaniya 154 (64.1) Javindu Madusanka 36, Poorna Kalhara 31, Janith Mihiranga 31, Malsha Fernando 5/58, Santhul Wijeyarathne 2/6
Result – Match Drawn (Nalanda College, Colombo won on 1st Innings Lead)
Thurstan College – Colombo 274 (112.5) Pathum Dananjaya 66, Rachintha De Silva 54, Rison Jansen 32, Vishmitha Sathsara 3/36, Sadew Nethmina 3/68 & 13/1
Mahinda College – Galle 205 (81.5) Sehas Ashinsa 41, Arosha Udayanga 30, Sethru Fernando 5/50, Thanuga Palihawadana 3/72
Result – Drawn (Thurstan College, Colombo won on 1st Innings Lead)