Pathum, Avindu and Pasindu shine on rain-hit opening day

Western Province North vs Western Province Central

In a high-intense clash at Wesley College grounds, Western Province Central batting duo, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Pathum Nissanka stroked eye-pleasing half-tons against Western Province North.

After Sammu Ashan opted to field first. Maris Stella fast-bowler Sanka Poorna struck in the very first over removing Zahira College opener Sajith Vithanage for 1. Lumbini College opener Thanuka Dabare made a quick-fire 19-ball 34 including six fours and a six before the Josephian seamer Jehan Daniel removed him in the 6^th over when the score was only 47. Isipathana College’s top run-scorer Sanjula Abeywickrama made 15 before he fell to the off-spin of Sammu Ashan.

The Royal College ‘Big Match’ hero, Pasindu and Isipathana College middle-order batsman Pathum Nissanka constructed a superb 141-run stand for the 4^th wicket. Sooriyabandara consumed 155 deliveries for his 71 before the Josephian speedster Ruchira Ekanayake got the better of him. Nissanka remained unbeaten on 97 off 111 alongside his skipper Vishad Randika when rain brought a pre-mature end to the first day’s play.

Western Province Central – 229/4 in 53.4 overs: Thanuka Dabare 34, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 71, Pathum Nissanka 97*, Ruchira Ekanayake 1/34, Jehan Daniel 1/55, Sammu Ashan 1/30.

Northern Province vs Uva Province

Uva Province Skipper and Left-arm spinner Avindu Theekshana picked up 5 wickets as they claimed major honours on day one against Northern Province at Army Grounds in Mattegoda.

After being sent into bat, Northern Province openers, M Nithushan and C Thevaprasanth added 38 for the first wicket before the former was undone by Theeskshana for 16. Thevaprashanth was stumped by N Hasaranga off Theeskshana for 18. Skipper Stephan Jeni Fleming and Isipathana College all-rounder Ayana Siriwardena made scores of 21 and 23 respectively before falling to the bowling of Richmond College left-arm spinner Theekshana. Before the rain interruption, Salitha Fernando also fell for just 7 as Northern Province ended on 115 for 5 in 50 overs.

Northern Province – 115/5 in 50 overs: Ayana Siriwardena 23, Stephan Jeni Fleming 21, C Thevaprashanth 18, Avindu Theekshana 5/35.

Central Province vs Eastern Province

Only 34 overs were possible on day one at Surrey Village grounds before rain spoiled play between Central Province and Eastern Province at the lunch-break.

The Central Province skipper Hasitha Boyagoda won the toss and elected to bat first. The Central Province opening duo, Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan and Bawantha Udangamuwa got their team off to a flying start adding 60 for the first wicket before the Trinity College opener Shanogeeth fell for 28 to the left-arm spin of Naveen Gunawardene in the 13^th over.

The Eastern Province skipper R Thenuradan struck next when he dismissed Udangamuwa for 37 in the 16^th over. St. Anthony’s College wicket-keeper batsman Mohommad Alfar made a solid 48-ball 35 but the Eastern Province bowlers picked up two more wickets to keep the game in balance.

Central Province – 136/4 in 34 overs: Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan 28, Bawantha Udangamuwa 37, Mohommad Alfar 35, Naveen Gunawardene 2/32.

North Central Province vs Western Province South

In the 4^th match which started on Tuesday, North Central Province lost 6 wickets for 174 before the rain interruption against Western Province South at Panadura Sports Club grounds.

The North Central Province and Nalanda College captain Dasun Senevirathne won the toss and elected to bat first. Pubudu Bandara top-scored with 35 while Lakshan Kaludeera and skipper Senevirathne made 27 and 26 respectively. Prince of Wales College bowling duo, Dilesh Nanayakkara and Thilan Nimesh picked up 2 wickets apiece.

North Central Province – 174/6 in 45.3 overs: Pubudu Bandara 35, Lakshan Kaludeera 27, Dasun Senavirathne 26, Dilesh Nanayakkara 2/45, Thilan Nimesh 2/50.

All four matches will be continued tomorrow (20^th April)