Maris Stella were in trouble after losing six wickets for just 104 runs in response to St. Joseph’s formidable 286 for 6 declared in their U-19 cricket match which commenced at Darley Road today.
Fabian Fernando ( 2 for 12) and Aravind Akurugoda ( 2 for 15) troubled the visitors with a disciplined bowling effort. Chathuranga Rajapakshe scored an unbeaten 52 for the visitors, the only silver-lining in an otherwise disappointing batting performance. In his 78 ball innings Rajapashe had already hammered 11 boundaries.
Earlier batting first, St. Joseph’s took the advantage of home conditions to plunder an imposing total before inviting visitors to open their account. Priyamal Perera and Nirwana Abeysekara shared a threatening 130 run partnership for the fifth wicket to propel the innings. Perera made a quick-fire 81 off 77 balls with nine boundaries and two sixes while Abeysekara made a patient 70 off 135 deliveries. Interestingly out of the six wickets that fell, off-spinner Shehan Chathuranga took five for 94 runs. The match will be continued today.
St. Joseph’s: 286 in 64 overs (Priyamal Perera 81, Nirwana Abeysekara 70, Dylan Fernandupulle 38, Sadeera Samarawickrama 29, Duran De Alwis 23, Shehan Chathuranga 5/94)
Maris Stella: 104/6 in 31 overs (Chathuranga Rajapakshe 52 n.o., Shehan Chathuranga 14, Fabian Fernando 2/12, Aravind Akurugoda 2/15)
