Six 2-day encounters of the U19 Inter Schools Cricket Tournament were played today (2nd January) at several venues across the island.
Mahanama College dominated the first day’s play of their Tier ‘A’ two-day encounter against St. Thomas’ College, which commenced today at FTZ Sports Complex in Katunayake. Sri Lanka U19 caps Duvindu Ranathunga and Anjala Bandara starred in Mahanama’s dominant show on day one.
Ranathunga picked up 5 wickets for 29 runs with the ball, while Bandara stroked an unbeaten century, helping Mahanama College take control on day one against the Matara boys.
Thisara Ekanayake’s all-round show stole the limelight of the Tier ‘A’ two-day encounter between Richmond College and St. Anthony’s College, which got underway today at St. Anthony’s College Grounds in Kandy.
Ekanayake grabbed 3 wickets, helping the Antonians restrict the strong batting lineup of Richmond College to 204, followed by an impressive unbeaten half-century with the bat in the hosts’ first innings’ reply.
St. Joseph’s College managed to take the upper hand on day one against St. Sebastian’s College in their Tier ‘A’ two-day encounter, which began today at St. Joseph’s College Grounds in Colombo.
After winning the toss, the hosts invited the opposition to bat first and managed to restrict them to a paltry score of 68 thanks to a brilliant bowling performance of Maanasa Madubashana, who picked up 5 wickets for just 18 runs.
St. Joseph’s College replied strongly with the bat compared to their counterparts, putting on 220/9 at stumps on day one. Hiran Jayasundara top-scored with a 58-run knock, while Manuja Chanthuka displayed an excellent bowling spell, taking 7 wickets for 65 runs for the visitors.
Brief Scores
Maris Stella College, Negombo 329 (97) Anshen De Silva 92, Shean Adithya 64, Ramith Bandara 61, Hasindu Perera 54, Randeera De Silva 28, T D S Perera 4/110, Yeshith Kalupahana 3/48, Sithuka Gunawardene 2/70
Isipathana College, Colombo 17/0 (5)
Stumps – Day 1
Zahira College, Colombo 214 (78.1) Zayan Ismath 43, Raeedh Careem 42, Venkat Rajendran 24, Mohamed Ijaz 23, Kithma Sithmal 3/29, Ashinsa Nainayake 3/65
Ananda College, Colombo 50/3 (19)
Stumps – Day 1
St. Thomas College, Matara 96 (44.4) Navija De Seram 23, Duvindu Ranathunga 5/29, Venuk Hettiarachchi 3/30, Rashmika Perera 2/20
Mahanama College, Colombo 256/6 (48) Anjala Bandara 100*, Banula Algawatte 42, Inuka Karannagoda 39, Sachira Weliwatta 39, Bhanuka Insamal 2/48, Jimuth Iddamalgoda 2/40
Stumps – Day 1
Richmond College, Galle 204 (50.5) Thamindu Pradeeptha 34, Chehan Subasinghe 34, Kavindu Nirmana 27, Malsha Tharupathi 25, Thisara Ekanayake 3/59, Kaveesha Piyumal 3/35, Lahiru Abeysinghe 2/20
St. Anthony’s College, Kandy 122/5 (39) Thisara Ekanayake 51*, Kavindu Shehan 30, Thamindu Pradeeptha 2/24
Stumps – Day 1
St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy 326 (92.5) Kavishka Imesh 91, Dion Fernando 48, Malith Lakshan 41, Khanka Wickramasinghe 30, Sahan Dissanayake 20, Shahan Kaushalya 3/45, Sasanka Nethmina 2/83, Yasiru Yugath 2/58
Lumbini College, Colombo 55/0 (7) Nabeel Rajudeen 34*
Stumps – Day 1
St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa 68 (32.5) Sanesh Fernando 30, Maanasa Madubashana 5/18, Gagan Chamodh 2/04
St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 220/9 (67) Hiran Jayasundara 58, Sadeesh Jayawardana 39, Hirun Matheesha 31, Abishek Jayaweera 24, Manuja Chanthuka 7/65
Stumps – Day 1
 at several venues across the island. ){kind=link}