Nimesh Gunasinghe slammed 113 against North Central Province in their Group A match at BRC. Here’s roundup of all matches which took place in the SLC U23 Provincial Tournament.
North Western Province vs Northern Province
Bowlers dominated proceedings in this group A clash between North Western and Northern Provinces at Bloomfield grounds. Northern won the toss and elected to field first. Sachith Lakshan rattled through the North-Western batting line up as they were cleaned up for just 190 runs in 60 overs. His figures stood at 6 for 38 at the end of the innings. With the bat for North-Western it was former Anandian Leo Fransisco who top scored with 42.
In reply, Northerners could not capitalize on the momentum they got with the ball. They were cleaned up for just 146 runs thanks to a brilliant spell of bowling by Asitha Fernando. Asitha too picked up 6 wickets which helped them to get a slender lead of just 44 runs. At the close of play, North-Western were 13 for no loss in their second innings.
North Western Province 190 (60) Leo Francisco 42, Sachin Jayawardana 38, Sachith Lakshan 6/38 & 13/0 (4)
Northern Province 146 (31.3) Parakrama Tennakoon 39, Asitha Fernando 6/42
Southern Province vs Western Province North
Mahinda Rajapaksha International Stadium hosted this group B clash today. Western Province North won the toss and elected to field first. Once again it was the bowlers who dominated proceedings from the word go. Southern were bundled out for just 169 in their first innings with Nisham Pieris taking 4 for 38 for Western Province North. With the bat Malith Mahela and Ramesh Mendis scored 46 and 41 respectively.
In reply, Western Province North were no better than their opponents. They lost wickets at regular intervals and at the end of play they were 105 for 7 in 36 over with former Peterite skipper Lakshina Rodrigo unbeaten on 26.
Southern Province 169 (59) Malith Mahela 46, Ramesh Mendis 41, Nisham Pieris 4/38
Western Province North 105/7 (36) Lakshina Rodrigo 26*
Uva Province vs Western Province South
Western Province South took the upper hand on day 1 against Uva Province in their group B clash at Police Park. Uva won the toss and opted to bat first. Their decision was proved wrong as wickets tumbled in quick succession and they found themselves cleaned up for just 96 runs. Sandakan Pathirana was the pick of the bowlers yet again with 4 wickets. Former Sebastian skipper Mishen Silva, Lakshitha Manasinghe and Ilain Hettiarachchi shared 2 wickets each.
In reply, Western Province South put up a brilliant performance with the bat. They were 273 for 8 at stumps with Pramod Maduwantha unbeaten on 48. Earlier in the innings Malindu Maduranga scored a half century and Mohommad Jaleel and Mishen Silva chipped in with 46 and 42 respectively.
Uva Province 94 (44.4) Navindu Nirmal 20, Hashan Vimarshaka 20*, Ilain Hettiarachchi 2/13, Mishen Silva 2/17, Sandakan Pathirana 4/29, Lakshitha Manasinghe 2/27
Western Province South 273/8 (53) Malindu Maduranga 50, Mohammed Jaleel 46, Mishen silva 42, Pramod Maduwantha 48*, Akila Lakshan 27, Anjula Prasannajith 3/29, Ivanka Sanjula 2/97
Central Province vs North Central Province
Nimesha Gunasinghe slammed a stunning 112 for Central as they posted a mammoth 332 for 7 in their first innings against North Central Province at BRC grounds. NCP won the toss and elected to field first. Central Province batting line up included few of the upcoming stars in the cricketing arena with the likes of national cap Wanindu Hasaranga and two Trinitians Dilan Jayalath and Thanuka Dabare who have shown a lot of promise in their school careers. It was Nimesh who stood out with a brilliant knock of 113 which guided Central Province to 332 runs. He found good support from Wanindu (54) and Dilan Jaylath (52).
North Central were asked to bat in the second session and they were in a spot of bother at stumps with 6 batsmen already back in the pavilion with just 158 runs on board. Former Peterite opener Dineth Hewathanthri top scored with 56 for North Central.
Central Province 332/7 d (59) Nimesha Gunasinghe 113, Wanindu Hasaranga 54, Dilan Jayalath 52, Thanuka Dabare 38, Shaluka silva 2/77, Sandeepa Sewminda 2/52
North Central Province 158/6 (40) Dineth Hewathanthri 56
