Vice-Captain Nushan Weerasinghe slammed a match-winning 60 to help Trinity College convincingly defeat St. Sebastian’s College by 8 wickets in their ‘Singer Cup’ Under 19 All-Island T20 Tournament 2015/16 quarter-final encounter worked out DS Senanayake groundson Monday afternoon.
After being out for a golden duck in the ‘Singer Cup’ Under 19 Limited Overs Final loss against the same opponent, Weerasinghe made a stunning reply to chase down 125 with 27 balls to spare. The right-handed opener stroked 7 fours and 2 sixes during his 48-ball 60. Nushan and his opening partner, Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan got them off to a blistering start smashing 47 in just 4.4 overs before the latter was caught behind by Sandaruwan Fernando off Nuwanidu Fernando.
The right-handed run-machine, Dilan Jayalath could not make much of an impact with the bat as he was clean-bowled by left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama for only 2 runs.
Weerasinghe was then joined by the young left-hander Yasaran Pitawala to take their team over the winning line. Pitawala clobbered 2 sixes and 2 fours during a brilliant cameo knock of 31 off 28 balls to remain unbeaten with Weerasinghe.
Earlier after opting to bat first, St. Sebastian’s College lost wickets at regular intervals as none of the batsmen made a substantial score after getting good starts. Avishka Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando and Sandaruwan Fernando made scores of 18, 18 and 19 respectively.
The real impetus to the innings was given by right-hander Tharusha Fernando as he smashed a valiant 27-ball 38 with 3 fours and 2 sixes to take the St. Sebastian’s score to 124 for 9 from their allotted 20 overs. Left-arm spinners, Duvindu Tillakarathne and Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan picked up 3 wickets each for the lads from Kandy.
Photo Album – Trinity College vs St.Sebastian’s College – U19 T20 QF 4
Trinity College, Kandy will take on St. Aloysius College, Galle tomorrow (5th April) in their semi-final clash scheduled to start on 2.00pm at the same venue.
St. Sebastian’s College – 124/9 in 20 overs: Avishka Fernando 18, Nuwanidu Fernando 18, Sandaruwan Fernando 19, Tharusha Fernando 38*, Duvindu Tillakarathne 3/20, Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan 3/20, Nushan Weerasinghe 2/29.
Trinity College – 126/2 in 15.3 overs: Nushan Weerasinghe 60*, Yasaran Pitawala 31*, Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan 25.
