A record unbeaten 241 for the eighth wicket between Sahan Arachchige and Sammu Ashan helped Ananda made strong reply to St. Benedict’s first innings score of 173 all out in their drawn U-19 school cricket match at Kotahena today.
Ananda had lost seven wickets for 184 runs when Ashan joined Sahan and together they put on a marathon effort as Ananda reached a mammoth 425 for seven at stumps on day two with both batsmen scoring unbeaten centuries.
Sahan, batting allrounder was unbeaten on 126 off 220 balls while Ashan, a tail-end bat took the bowlers to the sword with a blistering 153 off 134 balls. Sahan’s carefully manoeuvred innings included eight boundaries and three sixes while the aggressive Ashan smashed seven sixes and 16 boundaries in his entertaining innings. Though they began watchfully, Ashan unlashed his furry with some beautiful strokes to the boundary as home team found it hard to come to terms with the carnage in the middle. Ananda resumed the day on three for 34 but a late onslaught took them to a commanding position.
Geethika Chandeepa was the pick of the bowlers claiming three for 97 runs.
Earlier batting first hosts were bowled out for 173 when leg-spinner Isuru Gunasekara picked eight for 50 runs in an excellent bowling effort.
St. Benedict’s: 173 in 78.5 overs (Janindu Karunathilake 42, Victorio Roberto 37, Geethika Jayathilake 24, Isuru Gunasekara 8/50)
Ananda: 37/3 in 14 overs overnight and 425 for 7 ( Sammu Ashan 153 not out, Shahan Archchige 126 not out; Geethika Chandeepa 3 for 97)
