St. Joseph’s College dominated play in their game against St. Sebastian’s College in the Singer U19 two-day quarter-finals which commenced today at Thurstan grounds.
The Josephians won the toss and opted to bat first on a batting friendly surface at Thurstan grounds against a quality Sebastian bowling attack.
New comer Aaron Gunarathne, star batsman Revan Kelly and skipper Jehan Daniel all got starts but failed to go for big knocks as they were cut short by the lads from Moratuwa.
However, Josephian vice-captain Nipun Sumanasinghe took the bowling to all-parts of the grounds with elegant stroke play. He missed his century but managed to score 93 off 105 deliveries to give the Josephians a solid platform to launch in the latter part of the innings.
Number 8 batsman Sachintha Mahindasinghe made a timely half-ton to carry them to a mammoth total along with Dunith Wellalage and Miranga Wickramage. The Josephians got all out for 360 in the 98th over, giving St. Sebastians an uphill task to enter semi-finals.
U19 youth cap Praveen Jayawickrama toiled hard for his 4 wickets, while skipper Tharusha Fernando chipped in with 2 scalps for the lads from Moratuwa.
Chasing 361 to win, Sebs lost their opener Shanel Fernando of a Lakshan Gamage delivery as umpires called it a day.
Match will continue tomorrow for day two.
Brief scores
St. Joseph’s College, Colombo – 360 (97.3) Nipun Sumanasinghe 93, Sachintha Mahindasinghe 57, Miranga Wickramage 35, Jehan Daniel 32, Revan Kelly 32, Aaron Gunarathne 31, Dunith Wellalage 30, Praveen Jayawickrama 4/86, Tharusha Fernando 2/30.
St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa – 22/1 (7) Nishitha Abilash 12*, Lakshan Gamage 1/14.
