St. Peter’s College skipper Vinu Mohotti excelled with both bat and ball to lead his team to a convincing 31-run victory over Prince of Wales College in their ‘Singer Cup’ under 19 schools T20 semi-final played at R. Premadasa International Stadium on Tuesday morning.
Earlier in the day, Vinu had no hesitation in winning the toss and electing to bat first. The Cambrian skipper Thilan Nimesh struck in the very first over with his left-arm spin as opener Inesh Fernando was neatly caught behind by Vishwa Chathuranga.
The experienced Chandula Jayamanne and Hashan Wanasekara then completely dominated the match during the field restrictions by adding 63 for the first 6 overs. Fast-bowler Anjula Sahan struck an important blow in the 7th over of the innings when Jayamanne dragged one onto the stumps as his 22-ball 25 inclusive of 4 fours and a six ended against the run of play.
Wanasekara was the next man to be dismissed as he too perished looking for quick runs off the bowling of Dilanka Maduranga. The left-hander smashed 5 fours and 2 sixes during his brilliant knock of 41 from 25 balls. The Peterites lost wickets whenever they looked like taking the game away from the Cambrians as the spinners tightened the screws on the run-flow. Wicket-keeper batsman Lakshina Rodrigo made an important 23-ball 21 while skipper Mohotti struck a 19-ball 21.
Photo Album – St. Peter’s College vs Prince of Wales’ College – U19 T20 SF 1
The man-in-form, Manelkar De Silva was the main cog in the Peterite batting wheel as he anchored the innings during the final overs to remain unbeaten on 24 off 23 balls. The Cambrian captain Thilan Nimesh was the most impressive bowler for the lads from Moratuwa taking 3 scalps for only 26 runs from his quota of 4 overs. The Peterites managed to score only 144 for the loss of 6 wickets in 20 overs.
Chasing 145 runs to win, the Cambrian opening batsman Sandun Soysa smashed the first ball of the innings over the rope to a six but he was involved in an ugly run-out incident in the second over which brought the end to his exciting but short stay in the crease. After losing Dilanka Maduranga for no score, Prince of Wales’ College injected some momentum into their chase as Vishwa Chathuranga took on the Peterite bowling scoring 37 off 23 deliveries with 5 fours and a six.
The Cambrians were 75 for 4 at the end of 9 overs and was looking on course to chase down the target but the Peterite skipper Mohotti brought himself on and dismissed both Vishwa and Thilan Nimesh. After that exceptional double-wicket over, the lads from Moratuwa never looked like chasing down the Peterite score as they crumbled to only 113 runs. Mohotti ended with exceptional figures of 4 for 16 while Sadish Pathiranage and Chathura Obeysekara grabbed 2 wickets apiece.
St. Peter’s College will take on the giant-killers, St. Aloysius College in the final scheduled to be played on 8th April at Galle International Stadium.
St. Peter’s – 144/6 in 20 overs: Chandula Jayamanne 25, Hashan Wanasekara 41, Lakshina Rodrigo 21, Manelkar De Silva 24*, Vinu Mohotti 21, Thilan Nimesh 3/26.
Prince of Wales’ – 113 all out in 17.4 overs: Vishwa Chathuranga 37, Vihanga Weerakkody 15, Sanoj Dharshika 15, Chathura Obeysekara 2/29, Sadish Pathiranage 2/19, Vinu Mohotti 4/16.
