The first rounds of the Singer Schools U17 cricket tournament which ran over 5 months at different venues all over the Island have finally been completed. Now we are down to just 2 teams who have earned promotion through ups and downs, scares and triumphs to advance into the finals.
- Road to the finals
St. Joseph’s College playing with almost a first eleven team from the previous U19 season, has remained unbeaten to come through the ranks defeating heavyweights like Thurstan College, Mahinda College Galle, Royal College and Isipathana College.
Sebastianites also had similarly difficult run up the ranks with teams like St. Anthony’s College Wattala, S.Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia, Thurstan College and Isipathana College heading their way. With not a lot of household common names featuring in the U17 team like the Joes, Sebastianites had to play out of their skins to win some matches and also were smart enough to win from difficult situations.
- St. Joseph’s College
Ashen Daniel, ‘Big Match’ hero, will lead the Josephian unit in the final like he has done all season. Ashen is also the cousin of Jehan Daniel, who is touted to be a future Sri Lankan prospect, Ashen will need to bring out his ‘A’ game if the Josephians are to do well.
The young left-arm spin bowling sensation, Dunith Wellalage is the player to watch out for as well. The 15-year old, playing his first season for St. Joseph’s, has taken over 70 wickets and struck 550 runs. Wellalage’s lower order partnerships with fast-bowling all-rounder Lakshan Gamage have bailed the Josephians out of some tough situations many times this season.
Yesith Rupasinghe has struck over 700 runs this season and will be one of the key pillars in the Josephian batting unit.
Captain Ashain Daniel has taken 4 five-wicket hauls and 2 ten-wicket hauls with his off-spin while left-arm spinner Miranga Wickramage has captured close to 30 scalps this season.
Players such as opening batsman Johanne De Zilva and wicket-keeper batsman Shivan Rasool have crossed the 500-run mark this season. The specialty in the Josephian lineup is their batting depth and if their bowlers succeed, St. Joseph’s would be in with a great chance of notching up a victory.
- St. Sebastian’s College
After scoring runs heavily in the season, Janishka Perera’s team have entered the top 2 teams in the Island in the Singer Schools’ Under 17 tournament and will look to make a statement in the final as they face a dominant St. Joseph’s College side.
Savin Fernando have been the leading run getter for the Sebastianites throughout the season and he is also the big match hero for them notching up a century last time around against the cambrians.
Sakith Prasanna and Sukitha Manoj has been holding the middle order strong with their ability to bat accordingly to the game’s requirements. Dunith Nimhan’s contributions and form has peaked towards the end of the season with a century coming up against St. Anthony’s College Wattala in the quarter-finals.
Sasika Perera the left arm pacer was the hero in the Semi-Finals running through the top order of the Thomians with ease. The Sebastianites have peaked at the right moments in the tournament progressing after been backed up against the wall.
Last time around these two teams met in the quarter finals where St. Sebastian’s managed to marginally emerge on top.
- St. Joseph’s College vs St. Sebastian’s College
After winning the toss St. Joseph’s College put up an excellent performance with bat as they got to 236 in their 50 overs at Darley road. Two right-handers Shevan Rassool and Dineth Jayakody scored 43 each for the hosts to guide them with the bat. In reply the lads from Moratuwa chased down the target in the 49th over with Nishitha Abilash contributing 67 and Janishka Perera giving the finishing touches with an unbeaten 48.
Brief scores
St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 236/9 (50) Shevan Rassool 43, Dineth Jayakody 43, Rishitha Perera 33*, Lakshan Gamage 32, Johan de Silva 25, Thadula de Silva 2/27, Sasika Perera 2/36.
St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa 237/6 (49) Nishitha Abilash 67, Janishka Perera 48*, Lahiru Fernando 48, Sasika Perera 33*, Dineth Jayakody 3/53.
St. Sebastian’s College won by 4 wickets.
- Final Say
Continue to play the way they have played we are in for a cliffhanger come this wednesday, however, with so much of experience in the St. Joseph’s team after having 11 first eleven players in the final will have an edge against an unpredictable Sebastian’s’ team who have shown through-out the tournament that they are capable of much more than what they are known for.
The final will be on the 19th Wednesday, September 2018.
