by Chris Dhambarage
St. Joseph's College dominated the opening day of the 64th annual 'Battle of the Saints' Cricket encounter against their traditional rivals St. Peter's College which began at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium yesterday.
The Josephian batting line up went on the rampage as they hammered a massive total of 303 for 8 declared and then reduced the opposition to 105 for 3 at close.
In fact their total of 303, made in just 64 overs had great significance as this was the first time in 43 years that a team had crossed the 300 run mark in the series. St. Joseph's College made maximum use of a perfect batting strip after they had been put into bat by the opposition.
The Joes got off to a good start with the openers Ian Daniel and Johannes Jayasuriya putting on 59 runs. The former in fact went on to make a superb knock of 74 in 69 deliveries. His knock was studded with 13 boundaries and one six and set the pace for a good first innings total. He was also associated in a 82 run stand for the second wicket along with Skipper Monto Perera.
The Josephian Skipper consolidated their position beautifully and hit a top score of 75 with the help of 12 boundaries. Dilan Ramanayake then launched a severe onslaught on the Peterite attack by compiling a sparkling half century in 46 deliveries with the help of six boundaries.
The Peterites needing 204 runs to avoid the follow-on mark lost both openers quite cheaply. But they recovered throughh a third wicket stand of 60 runs between Mahesh Perera and Skipper Malinda Warnapura.
Day 2: Peterite skipper Warnapura stole the show in drawn game
By Ranjan Anandappa
IN A remarkable high-scoring game Peterite skipper Malinda Warnapura stole the limelight with a superbly struck 159 to change the course of the game which was drifting towards St. Joseph's and the 64th encounter ended in a draw at the P. Sara Stadium yesterday.
The Josephians set a victory target of 182 off 27 overs and the Peterites were 61 for 4 when the match was called off in the 17th mandatory over.
Warnapura produced one of his best innings to become the second highest individual scorer in the 'Big match' series betwen the two schools placing himself only second to Clive Inman (204 n.o. in 1954).
When the Peterites continued their overnight score of106 for 3 with Warnapura unbeaten on 40 still needing 98 runs to avert the follow on, the outcome of the game mainly rested on this factor. Warnapura stuck to his job admirably and played with tremendous spirit and enterprise to seal the fate of the Joes.
Warnapura scored at a helter - skelter pace with little regard eiher to pace or spin. He hammered 119 runs in less than one session and his final tally of 159 had 18 fours, four sixes and a five facing 173 balls in a 249 minute stay at the wicket.
He was engaged in three valuable stands for the third wicket with Mahesh Perera that realised 61 runs and Suranga Pinto 69 for the fourth wicket and a further 104 runs for the fifth wicket with Ishara Fonseka.
The bowlers of either side had not much to offer on a batsmen oriented wicket and fast outfield. On the first day the Joes went on the rampage piling up a huge 303 for 8 declared at tea.
Although the Joes had an advantage in their bowling with variety their fielders let them down badly.
Warnapura's innings was not without blemish he was reprieved twice dropped by Monto Perera at 68 and then Prasad Pathirana failed to cling on to a catch at gully at 95 which the Joes had to pay dearly. There was also a stumping chance missed after he made his century.