Compact Thomian 2013/14 cricket team cruised their way to the ‘Singer’ under 19 all island 50 overs competition finals when they comprehensively beat the fancied Richmond College team by 7 wickets in their semi-final worked out at R.Premadasa Stadium on Tuesday.
Richmond skipper AK Tyron won the toss and elected to bat first on a placid surface. The strong Thomian spin bowling attack spread fear into the Richmond batsmen and the two-day league champions faulted at the hands of T20 champions. Richmond College was bowled out for only 156 runs with skipper Madushan Ravichandrakumar picking up 3 wickets while Tharindu Rathnayake and Kulunu Rodrigo captured two wickets each. Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga scored 34 runs each while captain AK Tyron made 28 runs for the Galle lads.
Chasing 157 runs to seal their place in the finals, the Thomian innings was propelled by a solid half century by their left handed opening batsman Nipuna Gamage who stroked an unbeaten 119 ball 67 runs inclusive of 8 fours and 2 sixes while stumper Sanesh DeMel and skipper Madushan Ravichandrakumar contributed to the winning cause with 30 and 25 runs respectively as the Thomians cruised to victory target in the 39th over. Banuka Maduppriya and Charith Asalanka took one wicket each.
Chief Scores:
Richmond – 156 all out in 41.1 overs : AK Tyron 28, Charith Asalanka 34, Wanindu Hasaranga 34, Madushan Ravichandrakumar 3 for 33, Tharindu Rathnayake 3 for 27, Kulunu Rodrigo 2 for 35.
St.Thomas – 159 for 3 in 38.3 Overs : Nipuna Gamage 67*, Sanesh DeMel 30, Madushan Ravichandrakumar 25*.
