A delicate and counter-attacking century by Sachin Dalpethado helped St. Peter’s College take the upper hand in their 81st Battle of the Saints encounter against St. Joseph’s College after first day’s play on Friday at P. Sara Oval Stadium.
An useful and match-saving unbroken record stand of 130 runs for the 8th wicket between number 6 batsman Sachin Dalepathado and Taneesha Weerakoon rescued the Peterites from a deep hole and put their team in a winning position.
Earlier in the day, Josephian skipper Pathum Madusanka won the toss of coin and elected to bat. St. Joseph’s leading run-scorer Pathum failed to shine in the Big Match as he was caught behind for 8 by right-arm seamer Manelkar De Silva. Opener Sandaruwan Rodrigo and Nipun Sumanasinghe steadied the Josephian innings in a rather slow manner as the boys from Maradana were 55 for 1 at one stage.
Things took a serious turn-around when Sandaruwan Rodrigo was run-out for 38 and few quick wickets fell to put St. Joseph’s in bad position at 61 for 5 with Vimukthi Peiris (0), Aravinda Akurugoda (0) and Hashindra Perera (1) returning back to the pavilion. Young Nipun Sumanasinghe played a tentative and negative knock of 21 while Jehan Daniel made 15 as they scored crucial 31 runs for the 6th wicket. Peterite bowling pair of Taneesha Weerakoon and Manelkar made a mockery of the Josephian batting throughout the innings as they were once again reeling at 94 for 7.
The tailenders of the Joes batting unit played with positive intent and struck lusty blows in the end overs of their allocated 60 overs to give some respect to the Josephian score. Last pair of Malshan Rodrigo (22*) and Ruchira Ekanayake (16) added 37 runs while Suren De Silva and Shewon Fonseka chipped in with 17 & 15 respectively as St. Joseph’s ended their innings on 167 all out in the penultimate ball of their innings. Most impressive bowler was Manelkar De Silva taking 3 scalps for 33 while off-spinner Taneesha Weerakoon captured 4 wickets giving away only 48 runs.
St. Peter’s in their reply was taken by surprise with the speedster Ruchira Ekanayake troubling the left-handed Peterite top three with good short deliveries and Yorkers. Didulana Medis (4), Hashan Wanasekara (0) and Dineth Thimodya (14) took the long walk back early as the boys from Bambalapitiya were restricted to 36 for 3. Skipper Chandula Jayamanne stroked 36 runs and added 43 runs for the 4th wicket with wicket-keeper batsman Lakshina Rodrigo.
St. Peter’s lost 3 wickets in quick succession when total was 79 on the giant score board. Leg-spinner Aravinda Akurugoda snapped up 3 wickets with crafty bowling as St. Peter’s were in dire straits at 85 for 7 when Taneesha Weerakoon joined Sachin Dalpathado at the middle to produce one of the most-important partnerships in their lives. Right-handed Dalpathado stroked 10 boundaries and 4 huge sixes in his unbeaten knock of 104 while Weerakoon made 30 runs not out.
St. Peter’s will commence day 2 on Saturday with 45 runs ahead and 15 overs still to be bowled with two well-set batsmen at the crease.
Watch all the live-action of day 2 in the 81st Joe-Pete Battle of the Saints from www.thepapare.com.
Chief Scores:
St. Josephs College – 167 all out in 59.5 overs: Sandaruwan Rodrigo 38, Nipun Sumanasinghe 21, Malshan Rodrigo 22*, Taneesha Weerakoon 4/48, Manelkar De Silva 3/33.
St. Peters College – 212/7 in 45 overs: Sachin Dalpadathu 104*, Chandula Jayamanne 36, Taneesha Weerakoon 30*, Aravinda Akurugoda 3/28, Ruchira Ekanayaka 3/43.
