All-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga De Silva produced a superb double with the bat and ball as Richmond College, Galle qualified for their first ever under 17 division 1 final beating the fancied St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa by 6 wickets in their semi-final encounter concluded at Moors grounds on Monday.
Richmond beat Maliyadeva College in their pre-quarter final fixture before overcoming a spirited Lumbini outfit in the round of 8. On a gloomy morning, Sebastian skipper Avishka Fernando won the toss of coin and had no hesitation in batting first. Richmond bowlers kept attacking the stumps from the word go and they kept on bowling in good areas to trouble the boys from Moratuwa.
Skipper Charith Asalanka was brilliant with the ball as he scalped 3 wickets for 26 runs from his quota of 10 overs while Wanindu picked up two wickets for just 13 runs and his 10-over spell also included three maidens. Malintha Peiris top scored with a gutsy 33 while Praveen Perera stroked 26 runs as St. Sebastian’s were bowled out for one run less than 150 in the 49th over.
Chasing 150 runs to create history, Richmond got off to a solid start as their top order batsmen, Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis got them off to a solid start. Mendis was dismissed for 21. Star performer, Wanindu guided the chase as he continued his good form with a well compiled 52 runs which included 3 sixes and 3 fours. Dananjaya Lakshan and Avindu Theekshana contributed with valuable 30s to seal the victory with more than 65 balls to spare. Seamer, Sachintha Silva took 2 wickets for Sebs.
Chief Scores:
St. Sebastian’s – 149 all out in 48.2 overs: Malintha Peiris 33, Praveen Perera 26; Charitha Asalanka 3/26, Wanindu Hasaranga 2/13, Dananjaya Lakshan 2/19.
Richmond – 152 for 4 in 38.3 overs: Wanindu Hasaranga 52, Dananjaya Lakshan 30, Kamindu Mendis 21, Avindu Theekshana 33n.o; Sachintha Silva 2/25.
