Right-arm leg-spinner Suwath Mendis grabbed 6 for 48 as Prince of Wales College recorded a fine 30-run win over the strong S. Thomas’ College outfit in their Singer’ under 19 all-island limited overs cricket tournament 2015/16 pre-quarter final clash worked out at Mount Lavinia on Wednesday.
With this win, Prince of Wales College advanced to the quarter-finals and they will take on Ananda College at a neutral venue this weekend.
After Thilan Nimesh won the toss and elected to bat first, the Cambrians posted a commendable 242 runs on the board in their allotted 50 overs. Two-down batsman Kasun Ekanayake made a cracking 88-ball 60 inclusive of 7 fours. After being 78 for 5 at one stage, the visitors recovered through Dilanka Gunasekara, Sanoj Dharshika, Savindu Peiris and Thilan Nimesh who made valuable cameos. Fast-bowler Rashmika Opatha took 4 wickets while young seamer Hansaka Liyanarachchi captured 2 wickets.
Chasing 243 runs to win, the Thomians got off to a solid start adding 36 for the first wicket but wickets continued to fall on regular intervals as none of the batsmen applied themselves and went onto play a big knock after getting good starts but their vice-captain Yohan Mendis made a patient 109-ball 72 with 10 boundaries.
The 15-year old leg-spinner completely ripped through the strong Thomian batting line up as they succumbed to only 212 under pressure. The hosts’ were bowled out for 212 in the 45th over.
Prince of Wales – 242/9 in 50 overs Kasun Ekanayake 60, Sanoj Dharshika 42 Thilan Nimesh 38*, Dilanka Gunasekara 34, Savindu Peiris 30*, Rashimika Opatha 4/42, Hansaka Liyanarachchi 2/41.
S. Thomas’ – 212 all out in 44.2 overs Yohan Mendis 72, Sachitha Jayatilleke 23, Rashmika Opatha 19, Suwath Mendis 6/48.
