Pavan Rathnayake’s outstanding batting performance for Mahanama College took the centre stage during the latest round of Inter-Schools Under-19 cricket matches worked off during the weekend.
The prolific right-hander achieved another significant milestone in his career when he compiled a hundred in the first innings and a half century in the second innings in the drawn game against Thurstan College, played at the Thurstan Grounds.
The 18-year-old Sri Lanka youth cap was the cynosure of all eyes as he made a contribution of 104 in Mahanama’s first innings total of 228 runs after they had won the toss and elected to bat first.
Mahanama’s later order batsmen also provided some valuable runs with Chamath Chamupathi and Vinuka Ranasinghe further frustrating the Thurstan bowlers.
Thurstan in reply, struggled against the left-arm spin of Devindu Kekirideniya who mesmerised the batsmen with a superb five-wicket haul.
In fact, the home side would have been bowled out for less than 100 runs in their first innings if not for a fighting knock of 67 from Ramesh Silva.
Mahanama’s second innings was marked with another splendid knock from the consistent Rathnayake who continued his batting form by compiling a fluent 75.
He displayed the same temperament in the second innings as well which helped Mahanama to reach 227 for nine and take major honours against their more fancied opponents.
Royal vs Wesley
 Pavan Rathnayake of Mahanama celebrates his hundred
|
Meanwhile, Royal College kept their impressive record in the Under-19 Limited Overs Tournament while defeating Wesley College by 65 runs at Reid Avenue.
Royal’s victory was very much on the cards from the moment they hammered a formidable 258 for four from their 50 overs after been put into bat.
Their innings was built around a career best 107 not out from the left-hand opening batsman Isiwara Dissanayake who carried his bat until the end having struck eight boundaries and one six.
He played the sheet anchor role while the rest of the batting including, Skipper Ahan Wickremasinghe, Sadeesha Rajapaksa and Kavindu Pathiratne piled up the runs from the other end.
The other significant feature in Royal’s innings was that they were able to built up three solid partnerships of over 50 runs which made things really difficult for the Wesley bowlers.
The Wesleyites lost two early wickets during their run chase and they never recovered from there onwards with only Sahil Dias providing any kind of resistance.
But once Dias departed in the 20th over with the score at 88 for four, the Wesley innings completely lost its momentum and they were bowled out for 193 runs.
Richmond vs Maliyadeva
Richmond College also maintained their dominance in the shorter format of the game as they outplayed Maliyadeva College by seven wickets at the Galle Stadium.
Richmond’s victory of course, was fashioned by their bowlers who were able to restrict the opposition for a mere 116 runs in 36.3 overs with left-arm spinner Nalaka Jayawardena leading the way.
The Richmond bowlers kept it tight throughout the innings and never allowed their opponents to build up any substantial partnership.
The only major threat for Richmond came from the opener Matheesha Weerasinghe and once he departed the innings folded up quickly while giving them an easy target to chase.
Richmond did not have any great difficulties in overtaking that score and they cruised to a convincing win with useful contributions from opener Vishwa Fernando and Bhanuka Manohara.
Nalanda vs Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales College put up a stunning performance as they edged out favourites Nalanda College by three wickets in an exciting encounter played at Campbell Place.
The Nalandians of course, believed they had the game wrapped up in their favour once they compiled a competitive 211 for nine on the back of a splendid unbeaten hundred from Vinuja Ranpul.
The left-hand middle order batsman, who has been a consistent run-getter this season, went on to complete his maiden hundred with the help of one six and six boundaries.
His contribution was more than half of Nalanda’s final total which goes to show how important his performance was for the home side.
The Nalandians then further consolidated their position and moved closer towards winning the game by reducing the visitors to 109 for six at the half way stage. However, the Cambrians produced an unlikely match winner in the form of Anupa Bandara who hammered an unbeaten half-century to steer his team to victory with three deliveries to spare.
The left-hander batting at number eight, completely surprised the opposition and proved his all-round skills with his highest score for the current season which included two sixes and four boundaries.
