Sports
St. Joseph’s, De Mazenod, Mahanama, Richmond battle for final spot
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
Lasith Malinga has once more been retained as consultant bowling coach for Sri Lanka’s men’s team, as they prepare for the T20 World Cup they are due to co-host from early February.
Although this is only a 40-day appointment, running from December 15 to January 25, it is essentially a continuation of Malinga’s work with key bowlers in the national set-up. Malinga has worked officially as a fast-bowling consultant at least twice before, but has also worked unofficially with top bowlers over the years, and has been advising the coaching team led by Sanath Jayasuriya, over the past two years.
With round-arm bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara both in Sri Lanka’s preliminary squad for the T20 World Cup, and likely to make the final 15, Malinga will be especially well-placed to assist.
“Sri Lanka Cricket aims to leverage Malinga’s vast international experience and renowned expertise in death bowling, particularly in the shortest format of the game to strengthen Sri Lanka’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup,” the board release said.
Sri Lanka are set to co-host their first men’s global tournament since 2012, from February 7. Three Sri Lankan venues will be used – Khettarama and SSC in Colombo, and Pallekele.
The T20 World Cup will run from February 7 to March 8. Sri Lanka are in Group B along with Australia, Ireland, Oman and Zimbabwe.
[Cricinfo]
India’s untested lower order played a key role in turning a modest total into a competitive one. Amanjot Kaur added stability, scoring 21 off 18 balls and putting on a 61-run partnership with Harmanpreet for the fifth wicket, helping the innings regain momentum after regular wickets fell.
After her dismissal, Arundhati Reddy – promoted ahead of Sneh Rana – launched a late assault, hitting four fours and a six off 11 balls for an unbeaten 27, guiding India to 175 for 7. The team scored 32 runs in the final two overs.
With Chamari Athapaththu gone in the second over, Perera and Dulhani faced a daunting task. Dulhani, coming in at No. 3 again ahead of Harshitha Samarawickrama, played a confident innings, coming down the track and sweeping as needed, hitting five boundaries inside the powerplay. Perera rotated the strike well, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Aided by the dew, their 79-run second-wicket stand was broken in the 12th over when Amanjot dismissed Dulhani for 50, with her first ball.
Perera carried on, moving from 32 off 23 balls to register her maiden 38-ball fifty in her 89th T20I. Having debuted in 2014 and shuffled around the order, she opened this series for the first time in three years. When the equation came down to 55 off 24 balls, Perera struck a four and a six off Shree Charani before being yorked. Her 42-ball 65 included eight fours and a six.
When Sri Lanka needed 44 off 20 balls, India fought back hard. The visitors lost their key batters at the death, collapsing from 132 for 4 to 140 for 7, eventually falling short and remaining winless in India.
Brief scores:
India Women 175 for 7 in 20 overs (Gunalan Kamalini 12, Harleen Deol 13, Harmanpreet Kaur 68, Amanjot Kaur 21, Arundhati Reddy 27*; Nimasha Meepage 1-25, Kavisha Dilhari 2-11, Rashmika Sewwandi 2-42, Chamari Athapaththu 2-21) beat Sri Lanka Women 160 for 7 in 20 overs (Hasini Perera 65, Imesha Dulani 50, Rashmika Sewwamdi 14*; Deepti Sharma 1-28, Arundhati Reddy 1-16, Sneh Rana 1-31, Vaishnavi Sharma 1-33, Shree Charani 1-31, Amanjot Kaur 1-17 ) by 15 runs
[Cricinfo]
Under 19 Cricket
Manitha Rajapaksha collected a match bag of 11 wickets as Mahinda romped to an innings and 25 runs victory over Lumbini in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ cricket encounter at Galle.
Forced to follow on after being bowled out for 173 runs, the visitors managed to last only 33 overs as bowlers used the home advantage to good effect.
In a similar performance, Sri Sumangala reduced Isipatana to just 69 runs in the second innings to record an innings and 96 runs win in the Tier ‘B’ match at Panadura. While Mevindu Kumarasiri excelled once again to claim a match bag of 11 wickets, overnight batsmen Sandeep Wijerathna and Neksha Iddamalgoda went on to score centuries for Sri Sumangala to boost the score to 301 for eight wickets declared.
Meanwhile at DSS ground the home team scored a first innings win over Nalanda.
Match Results
Mahinda in innings win at Galle
Scores
Mahinda 284 all out in 72.2 overs
(Dulsith Darshana 63, Randula Mabarana 28, Manitha Rajapaksha 23, Kaveesha Githmal 43, Kavindu Nimsara 66; Yashod Kavindu 5/100, Dinal Sewmina 2/32)
Lumbini 76 for 4 overnight 173 all out in 53.4 overs
(Kisandu Dulneth 33, Yashod Kavindu 26, Jayanitha Mendis 41, Pasindu Mahisha 38; Manitha Rajapaksha 6/64, Sadev Nethmina 2/27) and 86 all out in 32.4 overs (Nikil Abilash 33; Manitha Rajapaksha 5/25, Gesandu Bisas 2/12, Arosha Udayanga 2/15)
Sri Sumangala in innings win at Panadura
Scores
Isipatana 136 all out in 47.2 overs (Yuveen Keshan 21, Dasith Senal 31; Mevindu Kumarasiri 6/54) and 69 all out in 25.2 overs (Janith Selaka 25; Mevindu Kumarasiri 5/32, Methum Fernando 4/23)
Sri Sumangala 158 for 2 overnight 301 for 8 decl. in 79.4 overs (Sandeep Wijerathna 100, Neksha Iddamalgoda 110, Mevindu Kumarasiri 34; Dasith Senal 2/86, Dimuthu Tharuka 2/34)
First innings win for DSS at DSS ground
Scores
DSS 365 all out in 79 overs (Savain Kalansooriya 54, Bihan Gamage 102, Janindu Ranasinghe 50, Shevan Welgama 73; Osanda Pamuditha 2/69, Dunitha Anusara 4/66, Sahas Godage 3/76) and 144 for 3 in 35.2 overs (Miyuru Bandara 41, Savain Kalansooriya 57, Shanaal Binuksha 34)
Nalanda 28 for 1 overnight 197 all out in 66.1 overs (Nemindu Akmeemana 40, Ranmith Dinuwara 42; Shanaal Binuksha 6/61, Randisha Bandaranayake 2/40)
by Reemus Fernando
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