Sports
Hasali, Vichinthya win Under 16 tennis titles
Hasali Gajaba of Visakha Vidyalaya and Vichinthya Nilaweera of Stafford International School won the Under 16 girls’ and boys’ singles titles respectively of the Tennis Nationals 2021 continued at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts on Sunday.
Nilaweera beat Zaidh Zihar in straight sets (6-3, 6-2) in the boys’ final to win the title yesterday. Both were eliminated in the semi-finals at the last edition.
In the girls’ final played on Saturday, Gajaba clinched the title beating Sajida Razick 6-1, 7-5. Gajaba was the runner up to Ruvi Lewkebandara at the last edition.
The men’s open singles finalist Chathurya Nilaweera meanwhile joined Thehan Wijemanne to win the Under 18 boys’ doubles title as they beat Dilvan Herath and Kiran Viravanathan 6-3, 6-2 in the final.
Nithila Goonetilleke and Thilina Dissanayake beat Ransath Peiris and Sandaru Guruge 6-3, 6-1 in the Under 16 boys’ doubles final to win the championship.
Boys’ Under 14 doubles final saw the Royal-Thomian combination of Methwan Wijemanne and Lisal Goonatilleke beating Jamal Zabry and Louis Knese 6-1, 6-2 to win the title.
New Zealand are on the board and into the Super Sixes, picking up their first win of the World Cup.
The Kiwis sealed a 67-run win with a clinical bowling display that had Samoa all out for 40 in just under 15 overs.
Tournament newcomers Samoa made an impressive start in the field against the more fancied New Zealand. Both NZ openers were removed cheaply, before the side fell to 12-3 early on, attempting to set a big total in Sarawak.
Olive Lefaga Lemoe created history, taking Samoa’s first ever ICC Women’s U19 World Cup wicket, removing New Zealand star Kate Irwin caught-and-bowled for 0 off 3 balls.
Kiwi Eve Wolland was a steady hand amid a chaotic batting innings for New Zealand, ensuring a competitive total was set. Wolland’s 48 from 43 and Anika Todd’s contribution of 27 off 19 helped the side score 107-9 off 17 overs, in a match shortened by a rain delay.
Samoa couldn’t keep pace with the bat, all out for 40 off 14.2 overs.
Brief scores:
New Zealand Women Under 19s 107/9 in 17 overs [Emma McLeod 11, Anika Todd 27, Eve Wolland 48; Olive Lefaga 3-13, Norah Salima 1-24, Masina Tafea 1-10, Avetia Mapu 1-16, Verra Farane 2-17] beat Samoa Women Under 19s 40 in 14.2 overs [Angel Sootaga 8; Sophie Court 2-05, Hannah O’Connor 1-10, Rishika Jawal 2-12, Tash Wakelin 3-03] by 67 runs
Bangladesh is nestled underneath Australia, sealing second spot in Group D after a win over the Scots.
They managed 121-9 from their 20 overs, batting first against Scotland, and ended up winning by 18 runs.
Captain Sumaiya Akter came up with the goods down the order to ensure her side had something to defend, top-scoring for Bangladesh with 29* off 36 deliveries. Sumaiya was supported by Afia Ashima Era (21 off 19) and Juairiya Ferdous (20 off 32), who smashed an impressive six early in the innings.
Nayma Sheikh was impressive, taking 15-2 off her four overs.
Scotland were brave in their chase, led by Pippa Sproul’s 43 off 41 balls, but couldn’t quite get over the line. Captain Niamh Sheikh chipped in with 22 off 32.
The Scots finished 103/8 from their 20 overs and now will wait to find out if they remain in third spot in Group D. They will progress to the Super Sixes if Nepal fails to beat Australia.
Brief scores:
Bangladesh Women Under 19s 120/9 in 20 overs [Fahomida Choya 14, Juairiya Ferdous 20, Afia Ashima 21, Sumaiya Akter28*; Gabriella Fontenia 1-16, Ammy Baldie 1-17, Nayma Sheikh 2-15, Kirsty McColl 1-24, Maisie Maceria 2-27] beat Scotland Women Under 19s 103/8 in 20 overs [Emma Walsingham 11, Pippa Sproul 43, Niamh Muir 22; Nishita Akter Nishi 1-30, Anisa Akter Soba 4-25, Habiba Islam 1-16] by two wickets
England has topped Group B with an impressive batting performance against the United States, successfully chasing down 120 in 14.2 overs.
Coming off strong showings in the tournament already, both sides set their sights on remaining unbeaten and claim top spot in the group.
USA showed they’re more than capable of matching it with anyone, scoring 119-5 from their 20 overs after being sent in by the English.
Captain-keeper Anika Kolan led the charge with the bat for the United States, anchoring most of the innings to finish unbeaten on 46* off 42 balls.
England orthodox spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman was in the thick of it, matching a pair of catches with a great ball to remove star opener Disha Dhingra (6 off 10 balls), playing a part in three of their five dismissals. Trudy Johnson (17-2) and Prisha Thanawala (20-2) each took two wickets.
120 looked like it could be a challenging chase for England, but batting sensation Davina Perrin made immediate inroads and found helpful support from Trudy Johnson.
Highlighted by some huge hitting (watch above), Perrin blasted 74 off 45 deliveries to lay strong foundations. She holed out with just two runs required, allowing Johnson (44* off 39) and captain Abigale Norgrove (1* off 1) to finish the job inside 15 overs.
England has again proved they’re a force to be reckoned with in Malaysia.
Brief scores:
USA Women Under 19s 119/5 in 20 overs [Chetna Pagydyala 10, Isani Vaghela 10, Anika Kolan 46*, Ritu Singh 20, Pooja Ganesh 10*; Tilly Corteen-Coleman 1-25, Prisha Thanawala 2-20, Trudy Johnson 2-17] lost to England Women Under 19s 120/2 in 14.2 overs [Davina Perrin 74, Trudy Johnson 44*; Maahi Madhavan 1-11, Pooja Shah 1-26] by eight wickets
New Zealand prevails against spirited Samoa
Bangladesh outlasts Scotland in Group D contest
England flexes muscle with bat against USA
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