Rain is following where ever the Peterites go as their match against Nalanda College was affected by heavy rain when they were cruising in their second innings after securing first-innings points.
Nalanda College hosted St Peter’s College in their Singer U19 Cricket tournament match. The rain gods have not being so kind on the boys from Bambalapitiya this season, having postponed few matches due to heavy weather and also some matches being washed off due rain. Nalanda on the other hand have had a hard time this season with no wins under their belt.
Nalanda won the toss and decided put the visitors to bat first. Leg-spinner Kavidu Bandara together with Nimanaka Ratnayake rattled through the visitors as St Peter’s College were bundled out for a mere 159 in 53 overs. Kavidu finished with figures of 3 for 26 while Nimnaka Rathnayaka bagged 2 for 22 runs. For the visitors, skipper Vinu and debutant Shelon Rodrigo chipped in with good cameos in the middle order scoring 29 and 25 respectively.
Nalanda batting were taken by storm by the strong bowling attack of St Peter’s College. Off-spinner Taneesha stormed his way to his third five-wicket haul for the season. With the bat, Nimnaka showed his all-round skills with a timely cameo of 37 and he was helped by Dasun Seneviratne who contributed with 29 runs but it was not enough to save his team from a first-innings defeat. The home side was restricted for just 121 in 47.2 overs. Taneesha ended with excellent figures of 7 for 27 while skipper Vinu Mohotty chipped in with 2 for 17.
St Peter’s came on to bat just before the lunch break on the second day. Their intentions were clear from the beginning as they were playing positively looking to put a good score and invite the home side to bat again but the heavens opened up for the dismay of the visitors when they were cruising at 134 for 6 in 36.5 overs with a lead of 172 runs. In-form batsman Hashan Wanasekara scored a half century while Sri Lanka U19 cap Lakshina Rodrigo chipped in with a quick-fire 38. With the ball, Kavidu Bandara and Ayantha De Silva took 3 wickets apiece.
St Peter’s (1st inn) – 159 all out in 53 overs: Vinu Mohotty 29, Shelon Rodrigo 25, Kavidu Bandara 3/26, Nimnaka Rathnayake 2/22.
Nalanda – 121 all out in 47.2 overs: Nimnaka Rathnayake 37, Dasun Senevirathne 29, Taneesha Weerakoon 7/27, Vinu Mohotty 2/17.
St. Peter’s (2nd inn) – 134 for 6 in 36.5 overs: Hashan Wanasekara 58, Lakshina Rodrigo 38, Kavidu Bandara 3/30, Ayantha De Silva 3/36.
