The 60th Battle of the Babes between the hill-country rivals, St. Sylvester’s College and Vidyartha College concluded at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
The 60th Battle of the Babes ended up in a tame draw in the favour of St. Sylvester’s and the winning tally remained unaltered, where St. Sylvester’s College are convincingly ahead with a dozen of victories whilst Vidyartha College registering just 3 in front of their name.
Vidyartha College Kandy and St. Sylvester’s College ended up with spoils being shared at Pallekalle stadium in Kandy earlier this evening.
After having won the toss, St. Sylvester’s put the opposition in to bat first. Vidyartha who had a dodgy first session of play were bundled out for 229 runs in 74 overs. Pulina Gunathilake scored a magnificent century when the team needed the most coming into bat when the team were struggling with the fall of quick wickets.
Kasun Karunathilake and Gihan Jayasekara chipped in with 28 runs each. In the bowling department Nadeera Balasuriya and Husindu Nissanka both took 3 wickets each for the Vesters.
St. Sylvester’s in reply to the moderate total put on the board by the Tigers scored 53 runs for the fall of 1 wicket at the end of the first day’s play. However, St. Sylvester’s went onto score another 247 runs before declaring their innings at 300 for 6 in 84.5 overs. Manoharan Pavithran scored the second century of the game with Pasan Hettiarachchi assisting with 88 runs. Nimsara Atharagalla was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets.
Vidyartha trying to survive the rest of the day lost early wickets losing their way but in the end, it was the centurion in the first innings, Gunathilaka steadied the ship a little but was caught behind for 42 runs with Ravishka Upananda chipping in with 36 runs. Nimsara Atharagalla and Nadeera Balasuriya took 3 and 2 wickets each restricting Vidyartha for 111 runs for the fall of 7 wickets in 29 overs.
Vidyartha College – 229 (74) Pulina Gunathilake 102*, Kasun Karunathilake 28, Gihan Jayasekara 28, Nadeera Balasuriya 3/27, Husindu Nissanka 3/47, Nimsara Atharagalla 2/62.
St. Sylvester’s College – 300/6d (84.5) Manoharan Pavithran 101, Pasan Hettiarachchi 88, Kevin Sahastra 67, Kasun Karunathilake 3/62.
Vidyartha College (2nd inn) – 111/7 (29) Pulina Gunathilake 42, Ravishka Upananda 36, Nimsara Atharagalla 3/53, Nadeera Balasooriya 2/18.
