Wicket-keeper batsman Lakshina Rodrigo entered the 1000 run club while St Peter’s stun the reigning champions, Trinity College in their quarter-final of the Singer U19 cricket tournament match which concluded at Asgiriya on Wednesday.
The Peterite skipper, Vinu Mohotty won the toss and elected to bat first and his openers got them off to a flier with a 50-run partnership. Fiery Inesh Fernando scored a quick-fire 42 while his partner Anishka Perera chipped in with 36 runs. Hashan Wanasekare came in at one-drop and stroked a brilliant 84 runs, 16 runs short of his third century this season.
All -rounder Manelka De Silva continued his good form with the bat scoring a blistering 83 runs in the middle period of their innings while fresher, Ranmith Jayasena scored a valuable half century for his team. The boys from Bamabalapitya posted a mammoth 407 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in 88 overs before skipper Mohotty declared the innings. With the ball for the Trinitians, left-arm seamer Thisaru Dilshan took 2 for 59 while left-arm spinner Shanmuganathan Sanogeeth took 2 wickets for 56 runs.
Photo Album – St Peter’s College Vs Trinity College – U19 Cricket 2015/16
After surviving the last few overs on day one, the first session on day 2 belonged to the boys from hill country. They managed to score 156 runs in 33 overs with Nushan Weerasinghe and Dilan Jayalath unbeaten on 70 and 60 respectively. The visitors came back strongly in the second session to take away all hopes from Trinity of defending their league title.
The Peterite spinners have been lethal throughout the season but in this match it was the seamers who bundled out the Trinitians to only 210. Ravindu Silva recorded his best figures this season capturing 4 wickets for 34 while his partner-in-crime Randle Seneviratne made a brilliant comeback taking 3 for 48 runs. Taneesha Weerakoon bagged the remaining 3 wickets for just 57 runs.
With the semi-final spot already secured, St Peter’s came on to bat in the third session of day two. They dominated proceedings just like they did in the first innings. Lakshina Rodrigo smashed a scintillating unbeaten century, his fifth for the season to break the 1000-run barrier this season. At close of play, St Peter’s were 198 for the loss of 3 wickets in 32.3 overs. With their batsmen in sublime form they are surely proving to become favorites to take title home.
St. Peters – 407/7 declared in 88 overs: Hashan Wanasekara 84, Manelka De Silva 83, Ranmith Jayasena 53, Inesh Fernando 42, Anishka Perera 36, Thisaru Dilshan 2/77, S Sanogeeth 2/56.
Trinity – 210 all out in 52.3 overs: Nushan Weerasinghe 87, Dilan Jayalath 76, Ravindu Silva 4/34, Randel Senavirathne 3/48, Taneesha Weerakoon 3/57.
St. Peter’s (2nd inn) – 198/3 in 32.3 overs: Lakshina Rodrigo 102*, Anishka Perera 34
