91st Battle of the Saints

Senuja Wakunugoda and experienced campaigner Yenula Dewthusa put on an unbroken 79 runs  stand for the fourth wicket as St. Joseph’s reached 150 for three wickets at stumps in reply to St. Peter’s 243 runs on day two of the 91st Battle of the Saints big match at the SSC  ground on Friday.

St. Joseph’s openers Abishek Jayaweera and Aveesha Samash got them off to a strong start as they added 59 runs for the first wicket. But Lashmika Perera had other ideas and took two quick wickets to trigger a mini collapse. The Joes were 71 for three wickets at one stage before Wakunugoda and Dewthusa combination guided them to safety.

Wakunugoda was unbeaten on 38 runs while Dewthusa was not out on 44 runs.

Earlier, Lashmika Perera made the Petes’ total look respectable by accelerating the run rate after his overnight partner Thareen Sanketh was beautifully bowled by Manasa Madubashana. Batting at number nine, Perera hit Nushan Perera for two consecutive fours and a six in one over and ended up as the highest scorer in the Petes’ first innings.

His knock of 58 runs included nine fours and a six.

Scores

St. Peter’s 176 for seven overnight 243 all out in 93.3 overs

(Dilana Damsara 44, Nathan David 29, Asadisa de Silva 38,  Joshua Sebastian 27, Tharin Sanketh 21, Lashmika Perera 58; Manasa Madubashana 3/77, Yenula Dewthusa 2/58, Nusha Perera 2/50, Demion de Silva 2/48)

St. Joseph’s 150 for 3 wickets in 57 overs

(Abishek Jayaweera 23, Aveesha Samash 32, Senuja Wakunugoda 38n.o., Yenula Dewthusa 44n.o.; Lashmika Perera 2/31) (RF)