Persistent rain and bad light played the spoil sport as DS Senanayake College had to satisfy with only a first-innings win over St. Joseph’s College in their under 19 division 1 cricket encounter which concluded on Friday at Darley Road.
DS skipper Harith Maduwantha won the toss of coin and elected to field first as the Josephians took the field for the first time during the new 2014/15 season. DS bowling attack kept on putting pressure on the hosts with disciplined bowler as they made the hosts struggle to score runs freely. Josephians were bowled out for 159 runs in 65.4 overs in their 1st innings. They were 107/8 at the end of first day’s play as rain came down pouring on Thursday afternoon around 2.00pm.
Debutant and opener Revan Kelly was promising as he made a delightful 26 runs in 36 balls while under 19 Sri Lanka poolist, Aravinda Akurugoda contributed with 21 runs while tailender Malshan Rodrigo played a gem of an innings of 38 which gave some respite to the Josephian score. Torin Pitigala was the most impressive with the ball for the visitors as he captured 3 scalps for 60 runs while spin-twins Shifran and Geeth Perera captured 2 wickets apiece.
DS Senanayake in their reply were 208/2 in 44 overs as the umpires stopped play due to bad light around 3.40pm on Friday. Right-handed opening batsman Thimila Vidyasekara punished the Josephian bowling to all parts of the ground but was unfortunate to be clean bowled for 99 while he was involved in a massive 164-run partnership with his opening mate Vishal Amunugama who made a brilliant supporting role scoring 57 runs. Right arm speedster Bryan Jayamanne was the only bowler to taste some success as he took out both the openers.
Chief Scores:
St. Joseph’s – 159 all out in 65.4 overs: Malshan Rodrigo 38*, Revan Kelly 26, Aravinda Akurugoda 21, Torin Pitigala 3/60, Geeth Perera 2/12, Shifran Muthalif 2/17.
DS Senanayake – 208/2 in 44 overs: Thimila Vidyasekara 99, Vishal Amunugama 57, Uvin Bandara 26*, Bryan Jayamanne 2/38.
