A stunning hundred by opening bat Lasith Croospulle helped Sri Lanka ‘A’ to post a commanding 368 for nine in their allotted 50 overs and then restrict New Zealand ‘A’ to 158 for three and a secure a 44 run win [DLS method] at Suriyawewa yesterday. The win helped Sri Lanka to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead.

The star for Sri Lanka ‘A’ was the former Maris Stella College, Negombo cricketer Lasith Croospulle as he smashed 103 off just 76 balls hitting 13 fours and six sixes as the hosts piled up the runs.

Croospulle has represented Sri Lanka in one T20I and performances such as these are sure to earn him a regular spot in the white ball sides.

The middle order then ensured that they didn’t spoil the good work of the top order with captain Sahan Arachchige and Sonal Dinusha posting half-centuries.

Arachchige smashed 76 in 68 balls with five fours and two sixes while young Sonal Dinusha put the bowling to the sword during the death overs. His 93 came off 77 deliveries with six fours and four sixes.

Dinusha, who has already made his Test debut and impressed many with his electric fielding could have gone on to post his hundred but sacrificed his wicket in a bid to score quick runs.

With the World Cup less than a year away and the selectors keeping a close eye on the second string, performances like these are sure to get their attention.

Rain reduced the game to 28 overs and New Zealand were given a revised target of 203 but they only managed 158 for three to hand Sri Lanka a comfortable win.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ had won the first game by 140 runs in Galle. Saturday’s third one-dayer will be a dead rubber.

The teams will stay back at Suriyawewa for two further weeks where the two match unofficial Test series will be played.

The composition for the four day games is set to change with Pasindu Sooriyabandara set to lead the side.

St. Joseph’s College secured a place in the final after their spinners, spearheaded by Sri Lanka Under-19 spinner Vigneswaran Akash, overcame determined resistance from the Prince of Wales College tail to claim first innings points in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ tournament semi-final at the D.H.H. Ground, Madampella on Wednesday.

‎The final day began with an early breakthrough when spinner Vishwa Peiris struck in the very first over to dismiss overnight centurion Thusindu Deemantha. Deemantha, who had already batted for more than three sessions, anchored the Cambrians’ innings with remarkable determination while chasing St. Joseph’s imposing first innings total of 354.

‎At that stage Prince of Wales were still more than 100 runs adrift with only four wickets in hand, but the lower order refused to surrender easily. Number seven batsman Pasan Cooray dug in with a courageous knock of 66, frustrating the Josephian bowlers for long periods.

‎However, Akash gradually tightened the screws on the tail, claiming three of Cooray’s partners before the resistance was finally broken. Cooray eventually fell to Nushan Perera, who played a crucial holding role despite taking just one wicket. Perera bowled a disciplined spell of 25 overs, conceding just over two runs per over to keep the pressure on the Cambrians.

‎Akash emerged as the pick of the bowlers with impressive figures of four wickets for 109 runs from a marathon 33-over spell.

‎As expected, the outcome of the match was effectively decided once the first innings concluded. With the semi-final berth secured, the remainder of the contest became a formality as St. Joseph’s batted through until the penultimate over of the match.

‎Opener Aveesha Samash continued his outstanding form by registering back-to-back centuries. Having scored 122 in the first innings, Samash followed it up with a brilliant 133 off 104 balls, striking 20 fours and a six as St. Joseph’s posted 238 for four in 48 overs.

‎Yenula Danthanarayana contributed 28 while Senuja Wakunegoda added a useful 48. Shehan Ashein and Matheesha Aponso claimed two wickets apiece for Prince of Wales.

‎St. Joseph’s will now wait two more days to learn their opponents for the final.

‎Meanwhile, in the second semi-final which commenced on Wednesday, Royal College ended the opening day strongly at 328 for four against Trinity College, with Dushen Udawela leading the charge with a fine century of 105. (RF)

BATTLE OF THE ENDS

The Manimaran – Wijesiriwardena Trophy will be up for grabs when Rahula College Matara host Hartley College Point Pedro for the 7th edition of the’ Battle of the Ends’ the traditional encounter between two schools situated at the Southern and Northern points of the island.

The annual encounter between these two schools was envisioned by two illustrious cricketers, Ramakrishnan Manimaran of Hartley College and Lal Wijesiriwardena of Rahula who are domiciled in Australia. The inaugural game was hosted at the Uyanwatta Stadium in 2017 and has been played continuously except from 2020 to 2022 due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The series so far has been one sided with Rahula College winning all six previous encounters.

The Rahula XI led by M.A.Nadil Sandesh will be selected from Janiru Thejana Wijayawardana, D.G.Indumin pawara Pabasara, J.K.Aayu Geesara Kaviraj, H.G.Pramuditha Nawanjana, Naviru Nethwan Abeydiwakara, Ishantha Gimhan Abesingha, M.L.Senuk Dewditha, Jayaru Kaveeshwara Ekanayake, .H.M.Eeshala Uththiya Bandara, A.A.Lithum Seunitha, R.M Chathum Geenath Rathnayaka, H.A Shewan Shanuka, H.Sandalu Hasaranga Rajapaksha, H.M.Hirun Manyuga, J.K.Divan Sri Nithish, K.B.Minidu Idusha, Dulana Mallawaraja Samarawickrama Abeysekara

The visiting Hartley College Team for this years ‘ Battle of the Ends’ is led by T Abishaan and will be selected from R Kishaaran, K Kanalventhan, S Mathushan, P Atheesh,V Venukaran, V Vishrukeethan, S Thanushanth, J Ilankeeran, R Jathushan, S Vikasan, D Blesshin, U Abinayan, T Jishnuram, A Arshaan

Hartley College will miss the services of Sri Lanka Under 19 player, Vigenshwaran Akash who moved to St Joseph’s College Colombo this season. Akash was the top scorer for Hartley in last year’s encounter which Rahula won by seven wickets.