Western Province North and South registered convincing first innings wins in their SLC under 17 inter-provincial two-day tournament games against Combined XI and Southern Province respectively.
WP North vs Combined XI
Anandian all-rounder Sammu Ashan cracked a blistering knock of 190 in 174 balls, inclusive of 18 fours and 10 sixes as Western Province North outfit comfortably got the better of Combined XI at the MCA Grounds, Colombo.
The highlight of the match was the partnership between Ananda College’s Sammu Ashan and skipper Malinga Amarasinghe of Nalanda College as they combined for a huge 276 runs stand for the 4th wicket as WP North posted a mammoth 401 for the loss of 4 wickets in 89 overs before declaring the innings. Skipper Amarasinghe stroked an unbeaten 104 runs in 187 balls with seven fours and two sixes to his name.
Ananda College paceman Kavishka Anjula picked up seven wickets for WP North to reduce the Combined XI to 238 runs in their 1st innings. Kalutara MV batsmen, Pathum Nissanka top scored for the Combined XI with a fighting 76 runs. Forced to follow-on, an unbeaten century by skipper Vishad Randika of Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, and a fighting 59 runs by Jeni Fleming of St. John’s College, Jaffna, helped the Combined XI to force a draw against the fancied WP North team.
The 158-run partnership between Randika and Fleming helped Combined XI survive the nemesis of the WP North bowlers. Randika’s unbeaten 104 runs came in 123 balls while Fleming faced 152 balls for his 59 runs. Combined XI ended the 2nd day’s play with a safe score of 176 for the loss 4 wickets.
Brief Scores:
WP North (1st inn) – 401/4 dec in 89 overs : Sajitha Gunathilaka 24, Nisal Francisco 47, Malinga Amarasinghe 104*, Sammu Ashan 190, Lahiru Vimukthi 2/101.
Combined XI (1st inn) – 238 all out in 52.3 overs : Rishith Upamal 26, Akash Senaratne 33, Pathum Nissanka 76, Vishad Randika 46, Kavishka Anjula 7/85.
Combined XI (2nd inn) – 176/4 in 51 overs : Vishad Randika 104*, Jeni Fleming 59, Sammu Ashan 2/41.
WP South vs Southern
Thomian Rashmika Opatha’s century and Prince of Wales College spinner Thilan Nimesh’s four wicket haul ensured WP South register a first innings victory against Southern Province at Tyronne Fernando stadium, Moratuwa.
Rashmika Opatha anchored the WP South innings with a fine century for them to score 303 runs against Southern Province on day one. Opatha faced 175 balls for his 103 runs which included 8 fours and 3 sixes. For Southern, Richmond College spinner & Sri Lanka under 17 Captain Charith Asalanka was the pick of the bowlers as he took four wickets for 75 runs.
Chasing 304 runs to win on first innings, Cambrian left arm spinner Thilan Nimesh shared seven wickets with Royal paceman Himesh Ramanayake to restrict Southern Province to 235 runs. Wanindu Hasaranga top scored with 74 runs for the boys from South.
In their 2nd essay, WP South managed to muster 175 wickets for the loss of only 4 wickets as Sebastanite opener, Avishka Fernando top scored with a well-made 93 runs.
Brief Scores:
WP South (1st inn) – 303 all out in 101.1 overs : Rashmika Opatha 103, Avishka Fernando 24, Mohamed Akram 21, Kusal Lakthilina 62, Chathura Obeysekara 27, Charith Asalanka 4/75, Ashan Madusanka 3/65, Suresh Kumara 2/57.
Southern (1st inn) – 235 all out in 59 overs : Suresh Kumara 37, Kamindu Mendis 30, Ramesh Nimantha 25, Wanindu Hasaranga 74, Ashan Madusanka 23, Himesh Ramanayake 3/31, Thilan Nimesh 4/68, Chathura Obeysekara 2/56.
WP South (2nd inn) – 175/4 in 39 overs :Rashmika Opatha 28, Avishka Fernando 93, Himasha Liyanage 31*.
