Isipathana College fell 21 runs short of sealing their spot in the Final after they were given target of 325 in 44 overs in the semi final of Singer U19 Cricket tournament at Thurstan Grounds.
3rd and final day of the semi final between St Peter’s College and Isipathana College commenced today at Thurstan Grounds. St Peter’s were in a spot of bother on 107 for the loss of 6 wickets at stumps on day 2. Isipathana College had the chance to bowl out the Peterites for lower total but fortunately for the boys from Bamabalapitya they managed to show good fight and survive almost two session on day 3. Chandula Jayamanna and Chathura Obeysekara put up 41 run partnership before Chandula gifted his wicket when he was batting well on 35. Then came the game changing partnership between skipper Vinu Mohotty and young Chathura Obeysekara. They made it through the session with ease and slowly accumulated valuable 81 runs.
Chathura Obeysekara playing in his first year played a match saving innings of 48 runs before he got out in the first over after lunch. Skipper Mohotty went on to score a half century, a timely knock from the skipper who took the responsibility of steadying the ship after their middle order collapsed. However the last two wickets were run outs which was not expected from Peter’s after the fight back they showed in the first session. Isipathana managed to bundle out Peter’s for 253 runs, leaving their batsman an uphill task of chasing down a mammoth 325 in 44 overs. Lahiru Dilshan and Pramod Maduwantha took 4 wickets each, Lahiru took a match bag of 8 wickets with the fifer in the first innings.
It is fair to say that Pathana dominated the last two session of day 3. First day and the first two sessions of day 2 was won by Peter’s which ultimately assured them their rightful place in the finals but all praise should go to the Isipathana batters who almost pulled off a fairytale ending to this semi final.
Photo Album – Isipathana College vs St. Peter’s College
Isipathana College lost their opener Kalana Perera in the first over for a duck but after that it was just clean hitting by this star- studded side. Heshan Fernando came in and hammered 1 maximum and 4 fours before he edged the ball to Lakshina to the bowling of Chandula Jayamanna. Vishad Randika and skipper Salinda Ushan took their side to 106 for the loss 2 wickets in just 12 overs before the tea break.
Vishad and Salinda took off from where they left after the break. For a while it almost looked as if they will get over the line in a canter. Salinda was sent back to the pavilion by Manelka De Silva for a well made 58 runs. Vishad was joined by Pathum Nissanka who played second fiddle to Vishad until Vishad chipped one back to Taneesha when he was playing well at 57 runs. Peter’s thought they had it covered after those two big wickets of Salinda Ushan and Vishad Randika but there was a another twist in the tale. Ayana Siriwardane who hasn’t been in good form in the recent past came in and turned the game on its head. Ayana and Pramod Maduwantha ripped apart this strong bowling outfit of Peter’s. In their partnership of 82 runs off 48 balls there were 6 maximums to go with 3 boundaries. There was still hope for Isipathana College.
Pramod lost his wicket in the 37th over when they were 60 runs behind. 60 runs to get from 7 overs was very much on cards for the way they were batting. Ayana got his team close and they needed 24 runs off the final over. Chandula Jayamanna was given the ball to save the match and he delivered. Ayana lost his wicket in the 3 ball of the last over after a well made 80 runs of just 59 deliveries. At the end of days play the scoreboard stood at 305 for the 7 wickets, Isipathana falling short by only 21 runs.
Early on St Peter’s made 246 all out in their first innings with Hashan Wanasekara scoring a half century and Lahiru Dilshan taking a fifer for Pathana. Isipathana was bowled out for just 176 thanks to a combined bowling effort by skipper Mohotty and Taneesha who ensured they claim first innings victory and seal the spot in the final.
St. Peters College 246 (90.3) ; Hashan Wanasekara 51, Ranmith Jayasena 41, Manelka De Silva 37, Lakshina Rodrigo 30, Lahiru Dilshan 5/59, Ivanka Sanjula 2/35
& 253 (98) Hashan Wanasekara 50, Chandula Jayamanna 35, Chatura Obeysekara 48, Vinu Mohotti 60*, Lahiru Dilshan 3/72, Pramod Maduwantha 3/55
Vs
Isipathana College 174 (55.1) ; Salinda Ushan 46, Vishad Randika 48, Taneesha Weerakoon 4/59, Vinu Mohotti 3/37
& 305/7 (44) Ayana Siriwardhana 80, Salinda Ushan 58, Vishad Randika 57, Pathum Nissanka 26, Pramod Maduwantha 34, Taneesha Weerakoon 2/117, Manelka De Silva 2/70, Chandula Jayamana 2/48
