Prince of Wales College Moratuwa bounced back into contention as they took major honours over Wesley College in their inter school under 19 cricket tournament match which ended in a draw at Campbell Park today.
The Cambrians after their shock eight wicket defeat at the hands of D.S. Senanayake College last week came back strongly with an improved performance as they dominated the proceedings through some good batting and bowling.
In fact Prince of Wales had the satisfaction of reducing their opponents for just 93 runs for nine wickets in the second innings having earlier bowled out the home side for 180 runs in the first innings.
This was certainly a fantastic performance from Prince of Wales College and they could have even pulled off the game outright had the match not been interrupted for quite some time on the opening day due to overnight rain.
Incidentally only 62 overs were possible on the opening day as the Wesleyites struggled to reach 151 for 7 wickets on a rain curtailed day with Tharindu Karunaratne making a top score of 45 runs.
But the visitors made the maximum from the opportunities which came their way and warmed up for the more important games ahead while declaring their first innings at a healthy 203 for 7 wickets.
This total was made possible largely due to two splendid contributions from their senior batsmen Gayan Chamara and former Sri Lanka youth cap Shanuka Dulaj with both completing half centuries.
The Wesleyites with a first innings deficit of 23 runs figured in a sensational collapse in their second attempt against some penetrative bowling from Thilan Nimesh who snapped up six wickets to finish with a matchbag of ten wickets.
However Wesley College found a real match savior in the form of Sachin Jayawardena who played one of his best innings for the season and to salvage some of his team’s pride by scoring a splendid 53 runs.
Jayawardena’s contribution with the bat was more than half of the Wesley College second innings total but more than that his occupation of the crease was crucial for the team as they survived some anxious moments before settling with a draw.
Wesley College: 180 Tharindu Karunaratne 45, Gayan Chamara 4 for 38, Thilan Nimesh 4 for 41) and 93 for 9 (Sachin Jayawardena 53, Thilan Nimesh 6 for 21)
Prince of Wales College: 203 for 7 declared (Gayan Chamara 86, Shanuka Dulaj 51)
