Danal Hemananda (36) and Niman Umesh (16) made an unbroken 51-run stand for the eighth wicket as St. Peter’s recorded a thrilling 3-wicket win over Thurstan College at the final game to emerge champions of the Under 19 Division One Tier ‘B’ cricket tournament yesterday at the Police Park grounds Bambalapitiya. After the rain delayed the start of the match, it commenced at 1.40 pm and was reduced to 26 overs per side.
Thurstanites were invited to bat first, making 131 (all out) in 26 overs. Skipper Bawantha Jayasinghe made a superb knock of 53 in 42 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes while opener Tharindu Harshana (21) and Thenuka Dewappriya (20 n.o.) made useful knocks to build up the innings. Abhilash Wellalage, the paceman who played his first game yesterday was the most successful Peterite bowler taking 3 for 19 while leg spinner Shenon Rodrigo took 2 for 16.
Peterites were reeling at 85 for 6 after 15.2 overs, but the eighth-wicket stand recorded by the well-experienced pair of Danal Hemananda and Niman Umesh was well-controlled on the pitch resisting the Thurstan attack to seal their victory with 2.2 overs to spare.
St. Peter’s chasing a target of 132 were unable to make a good start and reeling at 10 for 3 wickets after 3 overs while left-arm medium paceman Niun Premaratne made an early breakthrough to take the first three wickets to build up more pressure for the Peterites. However, two experienced stroke makers, Lahiru Dawatage and skipper, wicketkeeper, and all-rounder Wanuja Sahan added 35 runs for the fourth wicket to build up the innings. Wanuja scored 18 runs in 18 balls with 2 fours and finally was dismissed off a delivery by Thenuka Dewappriya while Nimuthu Gunawardena was out for a duck who faced only 2 balls and once again Peterites were 46 for 5 after 9.4 overs.
The National under 19 player Danal Hemananda joined with Lahiru Dawatage who is also a National under 19 player further added a 39-run for the sixth wicket and Dawatage who played a fine innings and finally was taken out with seven runs away to complete his well-deserved half-century. He hit 5 fours and six while paceman Premaratne was once again struck with his second spell to get this prize wicket of Dawatag. He got back-to-back wickets of Shanshay Gunatilleka who was out for a first-ball duck.
However, Danal Hemananda and Niman Umesh played a fighting innings to reach their target to win the championship as Hemananda made an unbeaten 36 in 42 balls with 3 fours and a winning six off the bowling of Premaratne while Niman Umesh made a good supporting role by making an unbeaten 16 in 18 balls with a four. Thurstan paceman Nipun Premaratne finished with excellent figures of 5 for 34 which was in vain with Peterites celebrating their victory in this rain-hit final.
Chief scores
Thurstan: 131 all out in 26 overs (Tharindu Harshana 21, Vihas Thewmika 11, Bhawantha Jayasinghe 53, Thenuka Dewappriya 20*, Abilash Wellalage 3/ 19, Shenon Rodrigo 2/16)
St. Peter’s: 136/7 in 23.4 overs (Lahiru Dawatage 43, Danal Hemananda 36*, Niman Umesh 16*, Nipun Premaratne 5/34)
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 – 01:00