Josephian batting star Sadeera Samarawickrama scored an elegant century to help St. Joseph’s College defeat St. Sebastian College by 118 runs and reach the semi-finals stage of the Under 19 all island limited over tournament 2013/14.
Josephian skipper Dylan Fernandopulle won the toss and elected to bat first on a batting paradise at R.Premadasa Stadium. St. Joseph’s lost both their openers; Dylan Fernandopulle and Duran De Alwis when the score was on 28 and after that early hiccup, a massive 157 runs stand between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Pathum Madusanka ensured that Joes got back into the driving seat. Sadeera played some marvelous cricket shots to notch up a memorable hundred while Pathum assisted his senior partner very well maneuvering the strike effectively. Sadeera’s knock of 112 came in only 94 deliveries and it consists of 8 boundaries and 4 maximums. Pathum Madusanka made 59 runs in 86 balls while Priyamal Perera played a superb cameo innings of 34 runs in 28 balls to propel the Josephian score to 277 all out in 48.4 overs. Right arm off spinner Sangeeth Cooray and Right arm medium fast bowler Kusal Lakthilina captured two wickets apiece.
Chasing a massive target of 278 to victory, St. Sebastian got off to flying start with their top order scoring over 6 runs per over but the Josephians came back strongly to strike at regular intervals as they managed to bundle out the gritty Sebastanites for 159 runs. Left handed opening batsman Sangeeth Cooray stroked 44 runs at the top of the innings while lower middle order batsman Umeshka Morais played a quick-fire knock of 46 runs in 33 balls which was not enough for the boys from Moratuwa. Right arm off spinner Hashindra Perera was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 wickets while Duran De Alwis and Aravinda Akurugoda scalped two wickets each for the winners.
St. Joseph’s College will now meet Thurstan College in the semi-finals.
Brief Scores:
St. Joseph’s – 277 all out in 48.4 overs : Sadeera Samarawickrama 112, Pathum Madusanka 59, Priyamal Perera 34, Fabian Fernando 20, Sangeeth Cooray 2/46, Kusal Lakthilina 2/31.
St. Sebastian – 159 all out in 31.4 overs : Sangeeth Cooray 44, Anuk Fernando 22, Umeshka Morais 46, Hashindra Perera 4/46, Duran De Alwis 2/29, Aravinda Akurugoda 2/9.
