Under 19 Division 1 Tier A Cricket

by Reemus Fernando

Defending champions Trinity College Kandy will seek back-to-back titles when they meet formidable Richmond in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket final starting at the SSC ground today.

Captained by Sri Lanka Under 19 players the two teams are inclusive of formidable players to produce a close contest.Winning the final will be a huge accomplishment for defending champions Trinity who also bagged the limited overs title early this season.

Both teams have used the knockout segment of this tournament to warm up for the three-day final. Richmond batted for 120 overs in their first innings in the quarter-final encounter against Nalanda. In their first innings win over St. Sebastian’s in the semi-final, Richmond batted for 87 overs.

Trinity batted for 90 overs in their first innings in both the semi-final encounter against Mahanama and the quarter-final against D.S. Senanayake.

Richmond under Malsha Tharupathi are equipped with a strong bowling department. Sheron Abhishek, who led Richmond when Tharupathi was doing national duty is joined by Kaveesha Induwara to make a strong spin combination. Left-arm spinner Yuri Koththigoda’s presence on his return from an injury layoff was felt very much in the match against St. Sebastian’s.

In the pace department Malith de Silva and Sihath Ramanayake are the new ball bowlers.

In the batting department, Thamindu Pradeeptha has peaked at the right moment with his best knock of the season (191) coming in the semi-final victory. Chehan Subasinghe has maintained the highest average among batsmen. The wicket keeper batsman will open batting with fellow left hander Nikil Jayaweera. Pradeeptha, Seneth Sisan, Shehan de Zoysa, Tharupathi and Abhishek are expected to form a long batting line up.

Trinity will expect the conditions at SSC to favour their skipper Manula Kularathne who has the ability to spearhead the pace attack to deadly effect. He is joined by Malith Rathnayake, left-arm spinner Dinuka Tennakoon, Tharana Wimaladharma, Vathila Udara, Thisal Yapa and Jayavi Liyanagama to form a strong bowling unit.

Opener Dimantha Mahavithana, who scored a decisive half century in the semi final, Viduka Dhammage, Dinusha Peiris, Supun Waduge, Kularathne, Janith Ravishka and Udara form the backbone of Trinity batting.

Road to the final

Trinity are in the final after eliminating D.S. Senanayaka (quarter-final) and Mahanama (semi-final). They reached the knockout stage as the fourth placed team in group ‘X’.

Richmond advanced to the quarter-final as the champions in group ‘X’. They registered first innings wins to oust Nalanda (quarter-final) and St. Sebastian’s (semi-final).

When these two teams met in the league stage Richmond scored a first innings win.

Teams:

Trinity (from):Manula Kularathne (Captain), ⁠Dinusha Peiris (Vice Captain), ⁠Tharana Wimaladharma, ⁠Supun Waduge, ⁠Dinuka Tennakoon, ⁠Janith Warnakula, ⁠Viduka Dhammage, ⁠Malith Rathnayake, ⁠Vathila Udara, ⁠Dimantha Mahavithana, ⁠Pulisha Thilakaratne, ⁠Thisal Yapa, Ometh Bandara, Sweath Anurajeewa, Rajindu Thilakarathne, Viduneth Dhammage, ⁠Kaveen Gamage, ⁠Kavindu Jayaratne, ⁠Jayavi Liyanagama.

Team officials: Bryan Senaratne (Master in Charge), Naveen Ekanayake (Head Coach), Lakshitha Alahakoon (Asst. Coach).

Richmond (from):Malsha Tharupathi (Captain), Sharon Abishek (Vice Captain), Thamindu Pradeeptha, Chehan Subasinghe, Malith de Silva, Seneth Sisan, Yuri Koththigoda, Sihath Ramanayaka, Kaveesha Induwara, Shehan de Zoysa, Nikil Jayaweera, Pubudu Mihiranga, Rasanga Thejan, Nethsara Akash, Punal Hansajith, Chamod Punsara, Sachindu Nimsara, Tenusha Nimsara, Bevin Jayawardena, Minaga Ariyadasa.

Team officials: Nuwan Jayasinghe (Master in Charge), Lakmal de Silva (Head Coach), Lahiru (Asst. Coach), Sidath Priyankara (Asst. Coach).

Richmond College Team