The finale of Singer School’s U19 Division I Cricket Tournament is set to take place between St Peter’s College Bambalapitiya and St Sebastian’s College Moratuwa at the Thurstan Grounds on the 17th 18th and the 19th of May.
This season must have been one of the longest running in school cricket history. It’s mainly due to the changes which took place in the league this year. However after 8 months we have finally arrived to the most awaited match in the season. The final race to the League title, the finale of U19 Division I league tournament.
St Peter’s College road to the final
It has really been one of the best years of cricket for this great institute. It all started off at the big match. They totally outplayed their traditional rivals St Joseph’s College and was rightfully judged as winners despite the unfortunate events which took place. One week later they showed absolute dominance in their Limited overs encounter against St Joseph’s when they chased down a mammoth 258 runs in just 39.2 overs with 8 wickets in hand.
Add to those two titles, St Peter’s College went on to win the T20 title few weeks back after beating St Aloysius College. Last year they had to settle down for second best but this time they took the cup home. Having achieved such great heights, they did pretty well in the season as well. In the group stages they finished at 2nd place with 6 outright victories and they only conceded 3 first innings losses.
In the knockout stage they first came up against Gurukula College. It was the Pre Quarterfinal which was played at home grounds and they won it easily by an innings to proceed to the quarters. They had a big task ahead when they had to face Defending champions Trinity College in the Quarters but this team surprised us all after posting 400 runs in the first innings.
St. Peter’s won the match on first innings and they sealed their spot in the top four. Their first real test of character came in the semi-final against Isipathana College. With the star studded batting line up of Isipathana anyone would have thought that they would go on to make it to the final. They almost did when they chased down 340 in just 30 odd overs but luckily for St Peter’s, the time ran out.
St Sebastian’s road to the final
St Sebastian’s has been one of the pillars of school cricket for years. Having produced many talents who bore national colours, this school has never been lack of talent in the cricketing arena. This season St Sebastian’s College have maintained an unbeaten record which is one good reason why they have found themselves in the final.
They registered an easy 5-wicket victory over their traditional rivals Prince of Wales College in the limited overs encounter. But their biggest achievement came few weeks after when they were crowned Limited overs Champions after beating the strong Trinity College by 4 wickets.
They finished top of their group after the first round. In the Pre quarter final they won against Ananda College through points after batting almost one and half days. Their next challenge was St Servatius College Matara. The quarter final was a tense one and unfortunately it ended in brawl. The match was rescheduled but St Servatius refused to play.
Their final hurdle was S Thomas’ College. The semi-final took place two weeks back and thanks to all around performance by the team, they overcame that hurdle and booked their rightful place in final.
The Peterite camp
Led by right arm off spinner Vinu Mohotty, this side has so much potential and class to overcome any challenge put in front of them. Vinu’s leadership has been one of the reasons why this team has done so well this season. In the batting department wicket keeper bastman Lakshina Rodrigo and elegant Left handed Hashan Waasakara have been the highest run scorers this season.
The opening duo of the most patient Anish kaPerera and the flamboyant Inesh Fernando and the middle order of Ranmith Jayasena and Manelkar De Silva have shown consistency right throughout. Manelkar scored heavily in the recently concluded provincial tournament and he must be feeling confident facing the final.
In the bowling department it is the spin wizard Taneesha Weerakoon who is leading the way with more than 100 wickets. Skipper Vinu is second in the list, both of them have bowled in tandem throughout the season. Sadish Pathiranage and Chathura Obeysekara too will have big part to play in the final. Chathura too were amongst the top performers in the provincial tournament this season.
Squad – Vinu Mohotty (Captain), Hashan Wanasekara (Vice Captain), Chandula Jayamanne, Lakshina Rodrigo, Taneesha Weerakoon, Anishka Perea, Ravindu Silva, Sadish Pathiranage, Randel Seneviratne, Dinal Jayakody, Chathura Obeysekara, Sachin Fernando, Jeramy Fernando, Manelka De Silva, Santhush Gunatilake, Ranmith Jayasena, Ashanth Malkea, Shelon Rodrigo, Inesh Fernando, Vinul Gunawardhane, Malinda Warnapura (Head Coach), Sanath Chinthaka (M.I.C.)
The Sebs camp
Led by national cap Avishka Fernando, St Sebastian’s College have dominated almost all their matches this season. As the only unbeaten side this season, they would like to keep the streak and take the league title home. In the batting Department skipper Avishka Fernando will look to contribute for his team after missing the semi-final due to suspension.
The centurion from the previous match Mishen Silva is high in confidence coming in to the final. He too scored heavily in the provincial tournament this year. Tharusha and Nuwanidu Fernando have also been amongst the runs this season
Praveen Jayawickrama is the leading wicket taker for St Sebastian’s this season. He has taken more than 80 wickets thus far. Asher Warnakulasuriya and Vinuja Ranasinghe have done well with the ball in hand. Skipper Avishka has quite a lot of options up his sleeve and he will count on each and every one of them to perform in this all important final.
Squad – Avishka Fernando (Captain), Sandaruwan Fernando (vice-captain), Nimesh Bandara, Mishen Silva, Shachintha Silva, Praveen Perera, Nuwanidu Fernando, Praveen Jayawickrama, Malintha Peiris, Gihan Senanayake, Nishitha Abilash, Damian De Buyzer, Asher Warnakulasuriya, Preshain Fernando, Tashik Perera, Tharusha Fernando, Mevan Muhandiramge, Imal Boteju (Head Coach), Manoj Chanaka (Assistant coach), Frank Cooray (Master-in-Charge)
Final Say
This season has proved that it’s not the names that matter when it comes to cricket. We witnessed so many star studded teams been toppled by minnows. This encounter will surely be closely fought. It will all come down to handling pressure. The team who doesn’t panic will emerge as champions. Both teams already have one title in their hands, who will make it two?
