Ajith rocks Thurstan before Jansen drops anchor

Under 19 Cricket

by Reemus Fernando

Rison Jansen anchored the batting line up with an unbeaten half century for Thurstan to reach 207 for seven wickets at stumps after Tissa Central skipper Ajith de Silva took three early wickets to trouble the visitors on day one of the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘B’ cricket encounter at Kalutara.

Jansen and Pathum Dananjaya frustrated the home team after initial jitters as they added 85 runs for the sixth wicket. Thurstan were four wickets down for 41 runs at one stage but Jansen managed to ease their nerves with his unbeaten knock (83n.o.) which came in 166 balls. It included six fours three sixes.

Thurstan seem to have reached safety by stumps after de Silva rocked them early. Tissa Central are in their first season after advancing to the Division I category by vertu of their impressive performances in Division II last season.

De Silva, who was one of the key players responsible for their achievement last season, will be able to showcase his talent against formidable opponents this season.

Meanwhile in Negombo, Maris Stella were edging closer to take first innings advantage against St. Peter’s, Bambalapitiya as they reached 128 for four wickets after reducing the visitors to 133 runs in the Tier A match.

Thurstan 207 for seven at Kalutara

Scores:

Thurstan

207 for 7 in 69 overs (Rachitha de Silva 26, ,Rison Jansen 83n.o., Pathum Dananjaya 35; Ajith de Silva 3/35)

St. Peter’s 133, Maris Stella 128/4 at Negombo

Scores:

St. Peter’s

133 all out in 36 overs (Oveen Salgado 39, Joshua Sebastian 31; Oshadha Gunasinghe 4/30, Nilesh Perera 2/31, Hasindu Perera 2/03, Ramith Bandara 2/27)

Maris Stella

128 for four in 40 overs (Hasindu Perera 54, Ramith Bandara 38n.o.; Lashmika Perera 2/48)