Three wickets each by Fabian Fernando, Hashindra Perera and Aravinda Akurugoda helped St. Joseph’s bowl St. Benedict’s out for 134 runs in their first innings before making a strong reply in their U-19 inter-school cricket match which began at Kotahena yesterday.
At stumps on day one Josephian’s were 71 for the loss of 2 wickets, trailing by 63 runs with eight wickets in hand.
The trio inflicted heavy damage to the host batting line up as they picked up wickets at regular intervals to put hosts under pressure. Fernando was however the pick of the bowlers giving just 18 runs in his 10.1 over spell while Perera and Akurugoda conceded 30 and 31 runs respectively. Nimesh Fonseka was the top score making 25 runs while Mahela Jayalath and Geethika Jayathilake scored 24 and 22 not out respectively. Josephians lost their first wicket in the first ball of their innings but recovered well to reach a decent 71 for the loss of two wickets. Yashan Samarasinghe was unbeaten on 32 while Duran de Alwis made 20.
St. Benedict’s: 134 (Nimesh Fonseka 25, Mahela Jayalath 24, Geethika Jayathilake 22 n.o., Fabian Fernando 3/18, Hashindra Perera 3/30, Aravind Akurugoda 3/31)
St. Joseph’s: 71/2 (Yashan Samarasinghe 32 n.o., Duran de Alwis 20, Geethika Jayathilake 1/8)
