The limited-over cricket champions Richmond College, Galle will face off the runners up Thurstan College, Colombo once again in the longer format, while a formidable Ananda College, Colombo will meet an assertive joint defending champions St. Peter’s College in the Singer School’s Division I two-day tournament semi-finals to be worked off this weekend.
Richmond College v Thurstan College
Richmond College advanced to the knockout phase of the tournament as the top team of group A. They met Mahanama College,Colombo in their quarter finals as they comfortably overcame the latter to progress to the semifinals. Thurstan College also topped group D moving forward to the quarters. They locked horns with dark horses Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda beating them with ease to move through for a second meeting against Richmond College with in the space of two weeks.
Richmond College lift maiden U19 limited-over championship
Richmond College made history at Wesley College Grounds in Colombo when they clinched their maiden…
Key players
Big match centurion Dananjaya Lakshan will prove pivotal for the lads from the south as they take on a formidable Thurstan bowling line-up. Thilanga Udeshana will spearhead the bowling for Richmondites with his hostile pace as they lack the services of skipper Kamindu Mendis who is on U-19 International duty in Australia. Chamikara Hewage will fill in for the boots of Kamindu as skipper during the semifinals.
Hard hitting all-rounder Charana Nanayakkara will anchor the Thurstan charge as the all-rounder will be key with both bat and ball. Left-arm spinner Naveen Gunawardena will be expected to weave his magic up against a robust Richmond batting set up come the semifinals. Kasun Abeyrathne will lead his men into battle once again as he has proved to be salient with the gloves on.
Thurstan College Squad
Kasun Aberatne (Captain), Nipun Lakshan (vice captain), Charana Nanayakkara, Naveen Gunawardhane, Imesh Viranga, Sandaru Dias, Navod Samarakoon, Shawan Prabash, Jayavihan Mahavithana, Akila Ranatunge, Yeshan Wickramarachchi, Thisara Deshan, Prageesha Mendis, Nimesh Lakshan, Thusal Madhusanka, Bimara Ranatunge, Pansilu Deshan, Ayesh Harshana, Janushka Fernando, Pramesh Dilushana, Lesley Harischandra (Master in charge), Suneth Gunathilake (Coach), Saman Hewavitharana (Consultant coach)
Richmond College Squad
Chamikara Hewage (Captain), Dhananjaya Lakshan, Avindu Theekshana, Thilanga Udeeshana, Thaveesha Abhishek, Ravishka Wijesiri, Adhithya Siriwardena, Sandun Mendis, Vishmitha Wijesiri, Kasun Tharaka, Vinuja Kiriella, Thisara Divan, Duveen Kalansooriya, Sathsara Kumara, Damith Prasanna (MIC), Dhammika Sudarshana (Coach), Lakmal de Silva (Asst Coach)
Thurstan College v Richmond College – Semi-final 1 – Surrey Village grounds, Maggona – 7th and 8th of April
Ananda College v St. Peter’s College
Joint defending champions St. Peter’s College came into the quarter finals as runners up of Group A behind Richmond College. They had a rather bizarre entrance to the semi-finalsas they were awarded the win in the quarter-finals with a superior run rate over S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia in a game which was curtailed by rain and had the Peterites batting for 380 for 5 after which the Thomians left the game uncontested.
St Peter’s College through to top 4
St Peter’s College put up a superior performance with the bat in the quarter final of the Singer U19 Division I Cricket tournament…
The batting heavy Ananda College breezed through to the quarters as winners of Group B. They progressed to the semi-finals beating a resurgent Maris Stella College in a cliffhanger in the round of eight.
Key players
St. Peter’s College will led by explosive wicket-keeper batsman Lakshina Rodrigo who has been a run machine throughout the season. Vice-captain and Sri Lanka U19 stalwart Manelkar De Silva will be crucial for the Peterite cause in the semifinals. Century wicket- taker Miflal Ameen will be expected to come up trumps for the lads from Bambalapitiya. All-rounder Santhush Gunathilake will be another key player as both opening bowler and batsman.
Dashing left-handed opening batsman Sahan Suraweera has been prolific with the bat scoring over 1000 runs in the season. Experienced U19 cap Sammu Ashan will bring depth to the middle order as he is expected to anchor the batting. Left-arm spinner Asel Sigera and skipper Kavishka Anjula will lead the bowling attack along with the likes of Dileepa Jayalath.
St. Peter’s College Squad
Lakshina Rodrigo (Captain), Manelker De Silva (Vice Captain), Santhush Gunathilake, Shivan Perera, Chathura Obeyesekere, Shalith Fernando, Sulakshana Fernando, Anishka Perea, Ravindu Silva, Dinith Anjula, Sachin Silva, Vinul Gunawardhane, Nipunaka Fonseka, Mohommed Ameen, Ranmith Jayasena, Banuka De Silva, Lashen Rodrigo, Prabasara Herath, Mr. Sanath Chinthaka (Sports Secretary/Senior Master in charge), Mr. Malinda Warnapura (Head Coach), Shanaka Fernando (Asst. coach)
Ananda College Squad
Kavishka Anjula (Captain), Dileepa Jayalath (Vice Captain), Sammu Ashan, Ashel Sigera, Sahan Suraweera, Supun Waragoda, Dushan Hettige, Kamesh Nirmal, Chamika Gunasekara, Lahiru Atthanayake, Kavindu Gimhan, Kalana Pramod, Lahiru Udayanga, Achila Iranga, Shyamal Hirushan, Daminda Reshan, Pramesh Abenayake, Hasindu Shimanka, Priyankara Nandasena (Master In Charge), Rohan Soysa (Head Coach), Amal Fernando (Asst. Coach)
Ananda College v St. Peter’s College – Semi-final 2 – Moors grounds, Colombo – 7th and 8th of April.
The LIVE SCORES of both matches will be available on Sri Lanka’s No.1 Sports Hub – ThePapare.com
