Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ Cricket

by Reemus Fernando

Defending champions St. Joseph’s are the favourites against giant killers De Mazenod while, Mahanama have the edge over Richmond when they battle it out in the semi-finals of the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket tournament today.

St. Joseph’s V De Mazenod

St. Joseph’s

having in their ranks three Sri Lanka Under 19 players are unbeaten in the tournament. After emerging as the champions in their group with victories against St. Anthony’s, Katugastota, St. Benedict’s, St. Sebastian’s, S. Thomas’, Mount Lavinia and St. Thomas’, Matara, they romped to six wickets victory over Wesley in the quarter-final.

De Mazenod put up a fine team performance to eliminate Nalanda, one of the favourites in the quarter-final, after reaching the knockout stage as the runners up to Mahanama in group ‘Z’. They had just three victories under their belt at the end of the league stage.

The team from Kandana have put up combined efforts to reach this far. In today’s match De Mazenod will consider bringing in spinner Pramod Rajamunindra in place of paceman Thushan Udayanga depending on the condition of the wicket at Surrey Village Ground.

Opponents of De Mazenod did not see much of Rajamunindra during this tournament. If he gets the opportunity, the Joes will be up against a complete spin attack consisting of Senash Fernando, Sithum Fernando and Thareen Sanketh.

There is no denying the fact that the Joes will be the stronger team in that department with their spin squadron braced with bowlers who faced the best in the world in their age category at the ICC Youth World Cup. Skipper Shevon Daniel makes a terrific combination with Sri Lanka Under 19 captain Dunith Wellalage, who is the leading wicket taker of the tournament.

St. Joseph’s

are likely to field an unchanged side with Daniel, who is also the leading scorer of the team occupying the third spot in the batting line up. Sadeesh Jayawardena who has produced some outstanding batting performances on return from the Youth World Cup will open batting with Hirun Matheesha. They have a strong and long batting line up with Wellalage joining in the middle order.

For De Mazenod skipper Ruveen Fonseka produced his best batting effort during the quarter-final and will have Salindu Pathirana, Mithul Senerath and Ashen Silva among others to form a formidable line up. The last three have maintained an averaged over 40.

St. Joseph’s (probable)

Shevon Daniel (Captain), Sadeesh Jayawardena , Hirun Matheesha, Mithira Thenura, Dunith Wellalage, Hiran Jayasundara, Muditha Lakshan, Rishma Amarasinghe, Deshan Senaviratne, Lahiru Amarasekara, Yenula Dewthusa.

De Mazenod (from) Ruveen Fonseka (Captain), Lester Jayaweera, Mithul Senerath, Senash Fernando, Salindu Pathirana, Chanuka Silva, Sithum Fernando, Sihina Sithumina, Ashen Silva, Thushan Udayanga, Thareen Sanketh, Pramod Rajamunindra.

Richmond V Mahanama

Mahanama captained by Devindu Kekirideniya are in terrific form after maintaining an unbeaten record to reach the semi-final. They rattled St. Benedict’s for 93 runs in the quarter-final before cruising to seven wickets victory.

Their leading wicket takers, left armers skipper Kekirideniya and Inuka Karannagoda did not have to worry much in the quarter-final after Koojana Perera did most of the damage. They will be looking to repeat the same against Richmond at today’s match at Reid Avenue.

Kavindu Amameth, Perera and the new recruit from Kandy Anjala Bandara, Sachira Weliwatta and Dhanaja Edirisinghe are the top scorers who are forming the backbone of the batting line up.

Richmond skippered by Bhanuka Manohara are a fighting outfit who have the fire-power with the batsmen rallying around Manohara and Tharinda Nirmal. Janeth Kaushal and Thamindu Pradeeptha are the others who have made notable contributions.

Spinner Sharon Abishek, speedster Kalpa Nethsara and former Madampa Central spinner Malsha Tharupathi will form a strong bowling attack for Richmond. Richmond beat St. Anthony’s, Katugastota according to D/L Method in the quarter-final after reaching the knockout stage with three victories under their belt.

Ricmond (from): Bhanuka Manohara (Captain), Kalpa Nethsara, Kavindu Nirmana, Vishara Sasmitha, Tharinda Nirmal, Ruwan Jayawardena, Janeth Kaushal, Maheesha Vethmin, Hansamana de Silva, Sharon Abishek, Malsha Tharupathi, Thamindu Pradeeptha, Chehan Subasinghe, Sihath Ramanayake, Imesh Sasindu, Seneth Sisan, Kaveesha Induwara, Sanahas Ramindu, Manuja Dulneth, Stephan Selvanayagam.

Mahanama (from): Devindu Kekirideniya (Captain), Viranga Yeshan, Omesh Udara, Sachira Weliwatte, Nihindu Perera, Duvindu Perera, Sethum Kenula, Anjala Bandara, Dasith Gunathilake, Koojana Perera, Inuka Karannagoda, Nadeesh Yasiru, Kavindu Amameth, Chanuja Sandalindu, Bhanula Algewatte, Tharindu Lakshan, Anuk Wijewardhane, Ruveen Sankalpa, Hasith Hansindu, Venuk Hettiarachchi.

Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ Semi-Finals

St. Joseph’s V De Mazenod at Surrey Village Ground

Richmond V Mahanama at Reid Avenue