Prince of Wales’ skipper Jayanga Peiris hammered a solid century before rain spoiled the first day’s play in their 65th Battle of the Golds against St. Sebastian’s College on Friday at De Soysa Stadium in Moratuwa.
The much anticipated ‘Moratuwa Spectacle’ commenced on a bright day with a big crowd in one of the oldest cricket venues in Sri Lanka. The SEBS skipper Visal Senanayake won the toss and elected to field on a placid surface. The Cambrian opening pair of Vihanga Dilshan and Hasindu Wijewardena walked out to the middle but they did not last long as fast-bowler Asher Warnakoolasuriya dismissed the 17-year old right-handed Dilshan for no score in the 6th over.
The wicket-keeper batsman Hasindu Wijewardene was joined by his skipper Jayanga Peiris and the pair consolidated the first 10 overs for 24 runs. Hasindu was the next to be dismissed for 10 when he was trapped LBW by off-spinner Nimesh Bandara in the 15th over and the score was only 36 runs. Two down batsman, Sadun Soysa was unable to trouble the scores as he was also LBW off left-arm spinner Pramesh Fernando.
The Cambrians were in dire straits at 37 for 3 when Hasitha Lanka partnered up with his skipper Jayanga and both of them completely mesmerized the spectators with a fluent and stylish batting effort. They first steadied the innings taking them to 83 for 3 at lunch but after the break, they took on the bowlers and batted more positively.
Jayanga and Hasitha added 171 runs to dismantle the opposition bowlers and it is the new record partnership for the 4th wicket during this prestigious ‘Big Match’ in Moratuwa. The rains came flourishing down just minutes before the tea break and Lanka was deprived of reaching the century but he was unbeaten on 83 with 13 fours and a six while Peiris reached a memorable ton (102) in 166 balls and he struck 2 sixes and 11 fours.
The match will be continued tomorrow.
Chief Scores:
POW – 208/3 in 59 overs: Jayanga Peiris 102, Hasitha Lanka 83, Nimesh Bandara 1/30.
