Joes clinch Under-19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket title

St. Joseph’s retained the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket title with a convincing 106 runs victory over Richmond as skipper Shevon Daniel with a top score of 80 runs and Deshan Senaviratne and Dunith Wellalage with three-wicket hauls excelled for the Darley Road team in the final played at the Police Park ground in Colombo on Wednesday.

Chasing a target of 258 runs to win Richmond’s top order failed to provide a solid start as they lost four wickets for 41 runs. The number six batsman Malsha Tharupathi was the only player to show resistance as the team from Galle were bowled out for 151 runs with 33 balls remaining in their innings.

Paceman Deshan Seneviratne gave Joes the ideal start removing opener Vishara Fernando for a first-ball duck. A flurry of events that followed- a runout, an injury to number three batsman Thamindu Pradeeptha and skipper Bhanuka Manohara getting dismissed cheaply for five runs- forced Richmond to fight for pride. With as many as five top-order batsmen getting dismissed for single-digit scores, Malsha Tharupathi gave them slight hope as he scored a fighting half-century (62 runs in 54 balls) inclusive of five fours and four sixes. But when he was given lbw off the bowling of Seneviratne the tail-enders folded up timidly. Seneviratne and Wellalage captured three wickets each for the Joes.

Earlier batting first Sadeesh Jayawardena and skipper Shevon Daniel played vital roles as they provided a solid base for the Joes to reach their eventual total. The duo added 57 runs for the second wicket. While Jayawardena scored 46 runs in 78 balls (1x4s), Daniel top scored with 80 runs inclusive of six fours and three sixes.

There were also vital contributions coming from Wellalage, who scored 42 runs, and Muditha Lakshan who cracked 34 runs in 19 balls.

It was a mission accomplished for St. Joseph’s Sri Lanka Under 19 players who were eager to conclude the season by defending the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket title. While the Youth Caps, Daniel, Wellalage, and Jayawardena lived up to their reputation, they were ably supported by Deshan Senaviratne, Muditha Lakshan, and the up and coming players who will head to next season looking for a hat trick of titles. (RF)