Sri Lanka: Schools Cricket Review (15 January 1999)

15 January 1999

Sri Lanka: Schools Cricket Review

Chris Dhambarage

St.Joseph's College continued their overall dominance over St. Benedict's College as they outplayed the Kotahena team by ten wickets in their inter-school cricket encounter worked off at Darley Road during the weekend.

This was their first win against the Bens after a lapse of 12 years having emerged victorious in the 1987 encounter. Altogether this was their 37th victory in the series between the two schools which began in the year 1898.

It was also their third win for the season which could make the strong contenders for the Division one League title. They completed their task in a spectacular manner by dismissing their opponents twice for a score of under 150 runs. Their bowlers stuck to their task and kept the pressure on throughout the innings.

Asanga Fernando was quite outstanding and bowled splendidly in both innings. But it was his first innings performance that really made the difference and opened the gates for a comfortable victory. His four wicket haul put the Bens on the defensive as they were bowled out for just 101 runs. Their batsmen then put up a disciplined performance and went on to build up a good first innings lead which turned out to be crucial at the end.

Meanwhile the key match between S.Thomas' College and Ananda ended in a tame draw at Mount Lavinia. Even then the Anandians could have forced a result had they closed their first innings much earlier. But their intention was to build up a first innings lead and then apply the pressure during the last two sessions of play.

The Thomians however made sure that their innings would not collapse for the second time in the game and eventually settled down for a draw. Their batsmen did not make an impact in this low scoring encounter except for Shanaka Caldera who compiled an unbeaten knock of 98. The Anandians too struggled for runs with only Lahiru Chaturanga and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara making any significant contributions.

Isipatana and D.S.Senanayake also settled down for a draw in their fixture worked off at Wijerama Mawatha. The only highlight in this game were the two half centuries scored by Sahan Wijesekera and Malintha Gajanayake.

The former hit a fine knock of 98 and helped Isipatana reach a respectable total of 188 runs. Malintha Gajanayake produced a similar effort for D.S.Senanayake who declared their innings at 176 for 5. Isipatana then made a desperate attempt to force a result by closing their second innings at 176 for 5.

In contrast St.Anthony's College and Royal figured in a high scoring draw in their drawn fixture at Katugastota. The Antonians in particular could be pleased with their performances as they scored over 250 runs in both innings without any difficulty. They lost only three wickets in their first innings total of 255 with Kasun Jayaratne compiling a superb unbeaten knock 105.

In the second innings it was Amila Pinnaduwa and Nafeez Nizam who stole the limelight with two good half centuries that further frustrated the Royal side. However the visitors made a spirited reply mainly due to a fine knock of 72 by skipper Thushan Amarasuriya.

Dharmaraja spinner Asanka Marapona claimed a hattrick and a matchbag of eleven wickets in their drawn match against Trinity College played at Asgiriya. Marapona's deadly spell of bowling really pushed the opposition on the defensive as they were dismissed for 141 runs.

But the Rajans failed to consolidate their position and had to be content with a draw at the end. The Trinitians fought back well and reduced the opposition to 187 for 8 in their first innings.

The game between S.Peter's and St.Sebastian's too ended in a high scoring draw at Bambalapitiya. Even then Sebastianites could be really pleased with their efforts where they amassed over three hundred runs in the first innings. The entire top order click well with P.Perera, N.Fernando, S.Fernando and K.Cooray all making significant contributions.

But the Peterites produced a similar batting performance and declared their innings at an impressive 265 for 5 with skipper Jerome Fernando leading the run chase.

Prince of Wales College took major honours in their drawn match against Thurstan played at Moratuwa. The Cambrians did have a chance of forcing a win at one stage after having build up a good first innings lead.

But Thurstan put up a determined performance in their second attempt with Tharindu Wickremasinghe leading their fight back. The all rounder had a memorable game and completed twin fifties while batting under tremendous pressure in both innings.

Mahanama College came up with a fine all round performance as they trounced Moratu MV by an innings and 21 runs in their match played at Viharamaha Devi Park.

The matchwinner for Mahanama was undoubtedly P. Sathyapala who finished with a match haul of eight wickets. He claimed 6 for 38 in the first innings and set the pace for a comfortable victory

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)