The Cambrians led by Thilan Nimesh secured their place in the semi-finals of the ‘Singer Cup’ Under 19 All-Island T20 Tournament 2015/16 when they comfortably defeated St. Joseph Vaz College team by 5 wickets in their quarter-final clash played at R. Premadasa International Stadium on Monday afternoon.
The boys from Wennappuwa won the toss and elected to bat first. The Vazians’ kept on losing wickets at regular intervals as half of their team were back in the dugout for 42 runs in just 8 overs. Opening batsman Dilshan Nayannanda played a gem of an innings cracking 37 from 38 deliveries with 2 fours and a six but they could only muster 102 runs.
Photo Album – St.Joseph Vaz College v Prince of Wales’ College – U19 Schools T20
For the Cambrians, fast-bowler Savindu Peiris and off-spinner Sandun Soyza picked up 3 wickets each while Dilanka Maduranga and Anjula Sahan grabbed a wicket each.
Chasing a paltry 103 runs to win, Udesh Chathuranga and Sandun Soyza got their alma mater to a solid start adding 30 runs inside 4 overs before fast-bowler Praveen Dilanka removed the former for 11 while skipper Thulanjana Fernando dismissed Soysa couple of balls later for 20.
Experienced Kasun Ekanayake and Avindu Fernando built a strong 32-run stand for the 3rd wicket in 36 balls but two quick wickets of Ekanayake and Dilanka Maduranga hampered the Cambrians chase. Avindu Fernando’s unbeaten knock of 37 off 39 balls steadied the innings along with his skipper Thilan Nimesh who made a vital contribution of 12. The boys from Moratuwa got over the line with 16 balls to spare.
Prince of Wales’ College will take on the strong St. Peter’s College team in the 1st semi-final scheduled to take place from 10am tomorrow (5th April) at the same venue.
St. Joseph Vaz College– 102 all out in 18.4 overs: Dilshan Nayanananda 37, Sadun Soysa 3/16, Savindu Peiris 3/22
Prince of Wales College – 103/5 in 17.4 overs: Avindu Fernando 37*, Kasun Ekanayake 21, Sadun Zoysa 20, Praveen Dilanka 3/19, Thulanjana Fernando 2/25.
