Under 15 Division III Cricket

by Reemus Fernando

Lyceum International School, Wattala and Maris Stella College, Thimbirigaskatuwa will go all out to keep their unbeaten status in the tournament intact when they meet in the Inter School Under 15 Division III cricket final at the Thurstan College ground today. Lyceum captained by Mihila Jayaweera advanced to the knockout stage as an unbeaten team. They registered an outright victory against Anura Central, Yakkala and beat Bandaranaike College, Meerigama, President’s College, Mahara, Nalanda College, Minuwangado and Dharanagama Central on first innings.

During the knockout stage they beat President’s, Kadawatha and Royal College (C), Colombo before beating Aluthgama Vidyalaya in the quarter-final. At the semi-final hurdle they edged out Christ Church, Baddegama. Lyceum have in their ranks a batsman who has scored over 800 runs in this tournament. Vihan Sadeesha Silva has aggregated 887 runs with five centuries, including back to back centuries in the match against Dharanagama Central.

Their leading bowler is left-arm spinner Adeesha Attanayaka who has captured 22 wickets so far. Maris Stella captained by top order batsman Ravindu Rajapaksha reached the final after beating Rangiri Dambulla National School in the semi-finals. In the quarter-final they beat Niwaththaka Chethiya MV, Anuradhapura. During the knockout round they beat Taxila, Horana, Marawila Boys School, St. Joseph’s, Anuradhapura and Ratnayake Central, Walala in a row to reach the last eight.

During the first round they scored first innings wins against St. Sebastian’s, Kandana, St. Peter’s Udugampola and Nalanda College, Minuwangoda. The other team in their group Sumeda College, Gampaha were not available for their match. They could aggregate points only against three teams meaning they were placed third in the group.

Pawan Muthukuda is their leading batsman. He has a century against his name and will be looking to do well in the final encounter. Left-arm spinner Wishwa Peiris with over 30 wickets is their key strike bowler. According to Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association more than 350 schools competed in the Under 15 Division III tournament this year.

Teams  

Lyceum International (from): Mihila Jayaweera (Captain), Danidu Nawarathne, Randir Dewapriya, Sadeesha Gimhan, Adheesha Attanayake, Dinev Punchihewa, Vindiya Abesinghe, Mohamed Shuhaib, Vidusha De Zoysa, Sahiru Roshen, Trevan Kulathunga, Gagan Perera, Jeshwara Vishwanathan, Mandara Hewapathirana, Vihan Silva, Sasiru Senarathne, Vikashitha Jayasiri, Vishara Randunu.

Officials: Minon Dilshan (Master in Charge), Sanjeewa Mendis (Coach), Viraj Weerasekara (Coach).

Maris Stella (from):  Ravindu Rajapaksha (Captain), Pawan Muthukuda, Dullein Perera, Vishwa Pieris, Shenash Panchama, Kavish Vimasha, Athila Appuhamy, Yuthika Wijesinghe, Nimantha Silva,  Gethmin Lokuvithanage, Gavin Liyanarachchi, Dinuka Jayaweera, Manuja Nawarathne, Enosh Kaveesha.

Officials: Roshan Jayasinghe (Coach and Master in Charge), Sameera Meduragoda (Assistant Coach)