Day 1 of the Singer U-15 Division 1 semi-finals started off today as Nalanda College, Colombo played S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia at St. Joseph’s grounds, Maradana and Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa faced their traditional rivals St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa at St.John’s ground, Panadura.
S.Thomas’ College vs Nalanda College
S.Thomas’ College won the toss and invited Nalanda College to bat first. Even though the Nalanda lads started scoring at a good rate, they lost wickets at regular intervals. Lakshan Kashyapa top scored with 41 and Moksha Sankalpa played a crucial knock of 31. Dineth Wanniarachchi was the chief destroyer with the ball as he claimed 5 wickets for 39 runs. Dineth’s bowling brilliance meant Nalanda had to settle for a below-par total of 164.
The Nalandian bowlers were up for the challenge as they made life hard for the Thomian batsmen with some excellent bowling early on. The Thomians got off to a terrible start as they were unable to keep the scoreboard ticking and wickets fell at crucial intervals. Kishan Munasinghe (34) and Dilmin Rathnayaka (23 not out) fought hard to steady the ship but Nalanda were on top when play was called off for the day. S. Thomas’ ended day one on 124 for 8 in 46 overs with 41 more required to take a first innings lead. Thamindu Kamalasuriya was the pick of the bowlers claiming 4 wickets for 30 runs.
Nalanda College Colombo
First Innings – 164 all out in 42.2 overs
(Lakshan Kashyapa 41, Moksha Sankalpa 31, Dineth Wanniarachchi 5/39)
S.Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia
First Innings – 124 for 8 in 46 overs
(Kishan Munasinghe 34, Dilmin Rathnayaka 23*, Thamindu Kamalasuriya 4/30)
Prince of Wales College vs St. Sebastian’s College
Facing their rivals Prince of Wales College, St. Sebastian’s College elected to bat first after winning the toss. The Sebastian-ites had to start cautiously with the Cambrian bowlers troubling them with good lines and lengths. But the top order couldn’t last long as the first four wickets fell cheaply.
Skipper Shanel Fernando came to the rescue again, this time with Janushka Perera, as the two batsmen counter-attacked and put on a magnificent partnership. Shanel had to depart after a superb 82 and Janushka went on to score a sublime century before being dismissed for 109. Sukitha Prasanna played his part with a fine knock of 40 as St. Sebastian’s amassed 310 for the loss of 9 wickets. Osanda Sandaruwan starred with the ball picking up 5 wickets for 58 runs and Kaveen Chathushka bagged 2 wickets for 32 runs.
St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa
First Innings – 310 for 9 in 90 overs
(Janushka Perera 109, Shanel Fernando 82, Sukitha Prasanna 40, Osanda Sandaruwan 5/58, Kaveen Chathushka 2/32)
