Under 19 Division II Tier ‘A’ Cricket Final  :Holy Cross encounter formidable Lyceum  

Formidable Lyceum International, Wattala will meet Holy Cross College, Kalutara in the final of the Under 19 Division II Tier ‘A’ cricket tournament at BRC ground today.

Holy Cross, a former Division I team were at the receiving end when these two teams met during the first round. Holy Cross captained by Sasindu Kaushan will be looking forward to turning tables on Lyceum who suffered just a solitary defeat this season in the limited-overs format.

Skippered by Yugath Premathilaka, Lyceum have in their ranks one of the brightest prospects in the junior circuit in Garuka Sanketh who earned accolades at the recently held Inter-Provincial tournament.

Sanketh who has over 30 wickets against his name will spearhead the bowling attack with Mohammed Rifnaz. The duo played key roles for Lyceum to restrict their opponents to low scores this season.

Lyceum beat Karandeniya Central, Vidyartha College, Kandy, St. Peter’s College, Negombo, Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya, Holy Cross, St. John’s College, Panadura and Tissa Central, Kalutara in the first round. Their blemish against Sri Sumangala College, Panadura placed them second in the points table.

During the knockout stage, they edged out Piliyandala Central (quarter-final) and St. Sebastian’s College, Katuneriya to book a well-deserving spot in the final. While Nethmal de Zoysa ( over 300 runs), Lakshitha Udesh and Jayathu Chathuranga  are their leading batsmen, Premathilaka, Chathumal Nimansa and Vihanga Theekshana also featured prominently in the batting department during the knockout phase.

For Holy Cross, Rashen Kethaka with over 200 runs and Sanuka Cheran are the leading batsmen, while Pasindu Wimansa, Hansaja Brian and Aakash Dewmina are the players to watch in the bowling department.

During the first round, the team from Kalutara beat St. John’s College, Panadura, St. Peter’s College, Negombo, Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya, Sri Sumangala, Panadura, Tissa Central, Kalutara and Karandeniya Central while going down to Vidyartha and Lyceum. During the knockout stage they beat Galahitiyawa Central (quarter-final) and Sri Sumangala, Panadura (semi-final).

Both schools have experienced the agony of not being able to earn the deserving promotion to the top division since the Covid 19 pandemic altered the dimensions of schools cricket tournaments in 2020. With normalcy returning this season the two teams will look forward to climbing up the ranks when the league tournament of the innings format commences shortly.

Teams:

Holy Cross (from):

Sasindu Kaushan (Captain),  Deshan Perera (Vice Captain), Hansaja Brian, Kethaka Silva, Pasindu Wimansa, Sonal Perera, Hiven Kenula, Dewmina Fernando, Hansaka Fernando, Cheran Silva, Gimhan Fernando, Nethru Silva, Sathsara Gamage, Abhishek Samaraweera, Steeve Roshaka, Gayantha Nadeesha, Deshan de Silva, Tharuksha Silva, Patrik Thisera, Vishmitha Fernando. 

Officials:

K.D.S.P. Samantha (Master in Charge), Nimal Dabare (Head Coach), Lakshitha Ranasinghe (Asst. Coach) 

Lyceum International (from):

Yugath Premathilaka (Captain), Rayan Perera, Sanujan Baskaran, Nethman de Soysa, Laksitha Udesh, Jayathu Chathuranga, Garuka Sanketh, Mohammed Rifnaz, Madhuka Perera, Kevin Perera, Shahila Prabhashwara, Shavindu Silva, Vidusha Wijerathne, Bimsara Weerasinghe, Travin Nishanthan, Sadeesha Silva, Thushan Fernando, Omalka Hapuarachchi, Malinda Mulgama, Danidu Nawarathne. 

Officials:

Manjula Prasanna (Master in Charge), Lal Senarathne (Head Coach),  Dishan Saminda (Coach), Sanjeewa Mendis (Coach).