St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya put themselves on course towards an outright victory by completely dominating the opening day of their inter school under 19 cricket tournament fixture against Maris Stella College Negombo which commenced at the FTZ ground in Katunayake yesterday.
After they were bowled out for a modest 160 runs the Peterites struck back with a vengeance to skittle out their opponents for a paltry 47 runs and then completed a highly successful day by capturing two early wickets having enforced the follow on.
This was mainly due to some inspired fast bowling from the duo of Sahan Nanayakkara and Chemila Obeysekera who continued their excellent form after their heroics in the drawn match against Ananda College on the previous day.
In fact Nanayakkara had the distinction of claiming his second successive five wicket haul for the current inter school cricket season while Obeysekera followed up with a disciplined spell of bowling where he conceded only 14 runs for his three wickets.
Even then this was a disappointing batting performance from Maris Stella College who were able to take the initiative while dismissing a strong Peterite batting line up for just 160 runs in the first innings.
No doubt this was a fantastic effort from Maris Stella College considering the fact that St. Peter’s College had amassed a record total of 444 runs for 8 wickets in their previous game against Ananda College at Ananda Mawatha.
One of their heroes in that game opening batsman Kavinda Tissera was the only batsmen from St. Peter’s College to make any kind of impact as the rest of the batting collapsed against the pace spin combination of Savindu Perera and Prasanna Nanayakkara.
However Maris Stella College simply squandered that early advantage with a dismal batting performance as they lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for a season lowest 47 runs from just 21.1 overs.
The Peterites with a good first innings lead of 113 runs did not have any hesitation to enforce the follow on and they soon had early inroads into the Maris Stella College batting by capturing two quick wickets before Chanaka Fernando came into their rescue with a fighting unbeaten half century.
Maris Stella College ended the day at 70 for 2 but they still need a further 43 runs to avert the follow on mark with eight second innings wickets remaining.
St. Peter’s College: 160 (Kavinda Tissera 50, Didula Mendis 27, Prasanna Nanayakkara 2 for 16, Savindu Perera 3 for 43)
Maris Stella College: 47 (Sahan Nanayakkara 5 for 7, Chemila Obeysekera 3 for 14) and 70 for 2 (Chanaka Fernando 55 n. o)
