A fragile batting stint saw St. Sebastian’s College securing a 67-run win over Royal College to qualify for the QFs in the Singer U 19 Limited Over tournament.
Royal skipper Geeshath Panditharatne won the toss and elected to field at Reid Avenue with the hope of acquiring early movement from the ball. For St. Sbeastians, opener Praveen Perera scored 51, laying a solid foundation while Nuwanidu Fernanado and Sandaruwan Fernando chipped in with 33 each. A late 39-run cameo by Asar Warnakulasuriya braced the middle order as the visitors reached 221 before they were bowled out. For the hosts, off spinner Malith Kariyawasam took 3 for 41 while Himesh Ramanayake, Lasith Embuldeniya and Ganith Sandeepa shared 5 wickets among them.
Chasing a modest target of 222 in 50 overs, the Royalists were engaged in a seemingly solid start until opener Ronuka Jayawardane was involved in needless run out for 16. His partner Kavindu Madarasinghe and Helitha Withange departed in quick succession, leaving them on 50/3. In a vital breakthrough, Sachintha Silva removed the youngster Pasindu Sooriyabandara for 9 while Malith Kariyawasam was dismissed Praveen Jayawickrama for 8.
Skipper Geeshath and his deputy Thiran Dhanapala sought to initiate the recovery but a miss hit to a full toss by Praveen Perera cost Geeshath’s wicket for 24. Thiran, the lone fighter kept his nerve with Ganith Sandeepa but Mishene Silva’s unplayable delivery castled Dhanapala for 34. The Royal innings eventually subdued for 154 runs, leaving St. Sebastian’s with a 67 run win and a QF berth.
Chief Scores –
St. Sebastian’s College – 221 all out (48.1 overs) (Praveen Perera 51, Asar Warnakulasuriya 39, Nuwanidu Fernando 33, Sandaruwan Fernando 33; Malith Kariyawasam 3 for 41, Lasith Embuldeniya 2 for 43, Ganith Sandeepa 2 for 49)
Royal College – 154 all out (42.4 overs) (Thiran Dhanapala 34, Geeshath Panditharatne 24, Ganith Sandeepa 21; Mishene Silva 4 for 14, Praveen Jayawickrama 3 for 25)
Result – St. Sebastian’s won by 67 runs
