Giants of Sri Lanka Schools’ cricket, Trinity College emerged victorious by 109 runs in their ‘Singer Cup’ under 19 limited overs tournament semi-final encounter against Nalanda College on Tuesday at the R. Premadasa International Stadium.
The Captain from Kandy, Raveen Sayer won the toss and had no hesitation in opting to bat first on a batting paradise. The Trinitians lost their openers Nushan Weerasinghe and Shavindu Amarasinghe early on in the powerplay as Kalana Perera took two early wickets to dent the Trinity innings.
Left-hander Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan batted beautifully alongside their run-machine Dilan Jayalath as they constructed a superb 145-run stand for the third wicket. Both Shanogeeth and Dilan missed out on well-deserved centuries as they were undone by seamer Nimnaka Rathnayake on 87 and 92 respectively.
Shanogeeth consumed 102 balls for his elegant 87 which consisted of 12 fours while Jayalath stroked 11 fours and 2 sixes during his excellent 86-ball 92. Hasitha Boyagoda and Tashila Dodanwila made 24 and 27 respectively to help Trinity score 71 in the final 10 overs and post a stunning 286 for 6 in their allotted 50 overs. Both Kalana and Nimnaka captured 3 wickets apiece.
Photo Album – Nalanda College vs Trinity College – U19 All Island SF 2
Chasing 287 runs to win, Nalanda College were troubled by the pace of Lahiru Kumara and left-arm spin of Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan. Captain Dasun Senevirathne made a 38-ball 25 at the top of the order while the experienced right-hander and number 4 batsman Kavindu Bandara top-scored for the Nalandians with a fighting 46 from 74 deliveries.
The boys from Campbell Place never looked like chasing the mammoth target as they lost wickets at regular intervals. After being 80 for 5, Madushan Hasaranga stroked 33 but it was not enough as they were bowled out for 177 in the 45th over. Lahiru and Shanogeeth picked up 4 wickets each for the Lions from Trinity College.
The disappointing stat from the match would be the total number of 33 wides bowled by both teams. Trinity College will now take on St. Sebastian’s College in the grand final on April 1st at the R. Premadasa International Stadium.
Trinity College – 286/6 in 50 overs: Dilan Jayalath 92, Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan 87, Tashila Dodanwala 27, Hasitha Boyagoda 24, Nimnaka Rathnayake 3/37, Kalana Perera 3/53.
Nalanda College – 177 all out in 44.5 overs: Kavindu Bandara 46, Madhushan Hasaranga 33, Dasun Senevirathne 25, Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan 4/30, Lahiru Kumara 4/32.
