By Lal Gunesekera
WESLEY by virtue of their outright victory in 1991, retained the E. R. de Silva Memorial Challenge Shield for the eighth consecutive year though their schools cricket match with Richmond ended in a tame draw at Campbell Park yesterday. Wesley made 209 in their first innings, while Richmond replied with 218. Wesley in their second turn were 168 for 5 at close.
The highlight of yesterday's play was the 47 made by Richmond's D. Sumathipala with eight boundaries, while Wesley's openers D. Jayakody (31) and Prasad Amarasekera (31) put on 61 runs in their second innings.
Wesley 209 in 63 overs (Prasad Amarasekera 53, M. Zainudeen 20, Manoj de Silva not out 57, Brian Senadhira 16, O. Wijesiriwardene 3 for 33, O. Sumathipala 3 for 22) and 168 for 5 at close in 55 overs (D. Jayakody 31, Prasad Amarasekera 31, D. Madagedera not out 35, M. Zainudeen 27, O. Sumathipala 3 for 30).
Richmond 218 in 76 overs (Primal Buddhika 44, O. Sumathipala 23, I. Udayangana 22, Manoj Chaturanga 13, P. Lorensuhewa 20, P. Kumara 14, D. Sumathipala 47, M. Zainudeen 3 for 55, Rienszie Senadhira 4 for 63).
Pallihakkara's allround performance the highlight
By S. M. Jiffry Abdeen - Kandy South Group Corr
GOOD all-round performance by St. Anthony's College skipper Mahes Pallihakkara who had a match bag of 8 for 124 and scored an elegant 69 with 4 fours, 1 six was the highlight of the 82nd Battle of the Blues between St. Anthony's College and Trinity College which ended in a draw at Katugastota yesterday.
Bad light stopped play with 7 overs remaining.
In reply to Trinity's total of 245, the Antonians started on a confident note with the openers Ravindra Wickremapala and Kasun Jayaratne putting on 102. But the next three wickets fell for the addition of only 5 runs. Ravindra Wickremapala top scored with 73 with 11 fours. Off-spinner Sudhanga Fernando who captured all ten wickets in last year's big match was the pick of the bowlers taking 3 for 57.
Batting a second time, Trinity entertained the crowd with some good batting. Their openers Dasun Weeraratne (46) and Suranga Gamage (51) put on 72 for the first wicket. Kaushalya Weeraratne hit an explosive 33, lifting Chithrasena for 3 sixes and 1 four in an over.
But the match ended in a draw and the last time a decision was reached was in 1992.
TRINITY COLLEGE - 1ST INNINGS 245
ST. ANTHONY'S COLLEGE - 1ST INNINGS (38 for no loss contd)
Ravindra Wickremapala lbw b D. Weeraratne 73, K. Jayaratne c Samath b Gamage 22, M. Chithrasena run out 4, M. Pallihakkara c Aluthge b Fernando 69, A. S. Pinnaduwa c A. Jayasena b Moratota 16, N. Nizam b Fernando 10, N. Ferdinands c Samath b Fernando 6, P. Ranawaka not out 1, S. Burke not out 0, Extras 11.
TOTAL (for 7 wkts decl, in 63 overs) 212.
FALL OF WICKETS: 102, 102, 107, 141, 181, 209, 209.
BOWLING: S. Moratota 12-1-36-1, K. Weeraratne 12-2-38-0, S. Fernando 19-6-57-3, A. Jayasena 2-1-1-0, D. Weeraratne 11-3-38-1, C. Aluthge 4-2-15-0, S. Gamage 3-1-16-1.
TRINITY COLLEGE - 2ND INNINGS
D. Weeraratne run out 46, S. Gamage c sub (Raj Wickremapala) b Pallihakkara 10, S. Moratota c Fernando b Chithrasena 4, K. Weeraratne st. Pinnaduwa b Pallihakkara 33, Angus Jayasena c Jayawardena b Pallihakkara 8, C. Aluthge not out 1, Extras 7.
TOTAL (for 6 wkts at stumps in 39.2 overs) 160.
FALL OF WICKETS: 72, 114, 114, 120, 136, 160.
BOWLING: L. Fonseka 3-0-11-0, A. S. Pinnaduwa 4-1-8-0, M. Pallihakkara 15.2-4-47-4, P. Ranawaka 5-3-4-0, P. Jayawardena 1-0-11-0, K. Jayaratne 3-0-12-0, M. Chittrasena 7-0-60-1.
Tall scoring - match heads for a draw
By Leslie Fernando
FOUR half centuries from Sameera Panapitiya, Thilinia Kandambi, Jithendra Perera, Muthumudalige Pushpakumara and a bright 6th wicket unbroken stand of 119 runs between Jithendra and Pushpakumara enabled Ananda to declare at 284 for 5 against Nalanda on the first day of the 69th 'Battle of the Maroons' at R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.
Despite Ananda's formidable score, Nalanda made a bold reply with 74 for no loss at close. Both Nalanda openers skipper Sanjaya Rodrigo (31) and Dhanushka Fernando (41) batted with comfortable ease.
Ananda erased off a 44-year-old record by scoring 284 the highest team score in an innings 278 in 1954 under the captaincy of P. de Silva.
Sent into bat, Ananda lost both openers Lahiru Chathuranga (9) and Lakshan Fernando (8). Pacemen Gangodawila and Kumar removed both openers. Then there was a good recovery through Rajith Basnayake and Sameera Panapitiya associating in a 59-run stand for the third wicket.
At lunch Ananda were 136 for 2 with Sameera 47 n.o. and Kandamby unbeaten on 43. The pair batted with authority and were involved in a valuable 77-run stand for the 4th wicket. Sameera stroked superb 60 studded with 8 fours while Kandamby smashed 58 with 9 fours in just 52 balls and brought the score to 165/5.
From 165 for 5 Jithendra and Pushpakumara lifted the score to 284 batting with extraordinary fashion. Pushpakumara hit a bright unbeaten 60 in 63 balls and it contained 4 fours while Jithendra made an unbeaten 51 in 62 balls with 4 fours. They shared an unfinished stand of 119 runs for the sixth wicket which came in just 24 overs.
Ananda added 148 runs after lunch off 33 overs and declared at tea. Nalanda used nine bowlers in bid to curtail Ananda batting line up. The off-spinner Danitha Dayaratne was the most successful bowler for Nalanda claiming 2 for 60.
Nalanda opener Sanjaya Rodrigo and Dhanushka Fernando batted sensibly. Sanjaya remained unbeaten on 31 with 3 fours and Dhanushka unbeaten with 41 with 5 fours. The pair faced 33 overs and batted for 134 minutes for Nalanda to be 74 for no loss. The match will be continued today at 10.00 a.m.
48th Cambrian-Sebastianite match drawn
By Dilwin Mendis - Moratuwa Sports Cor
THE 48TH encounter between Prince of Wales and St. Sebastian's ended in a draw at De Soysa Stadium.
Sebastianites who were 197 for 6 overnight batted till lunch before declaring at 285 for 9, occupying the crease for 402 minutes.
Kelum Fernando was the most successful bowler for Cambrians with 4 for 94.
The Cambrians lost two early wickets and recovered and at the close they were 172 for 5 wickets. Cambrian vice captain Hasantha Fernando completed one thousand runs during his knock of 54 runs.
ST. SEBASTIAN'S COLLEGE - 1ST INNINGS (overnight 197 for 6)
N. Fernando c and b S. Pieris 42, D. Godfred c Wannakuwatte b T. Silva 41, R. Balasuriya run out 17, D. Fernando not out 32, C. Francis not out 0, Extras (B-7, LB-5, NB-5, W-10) 27.
TOTAL (for 9 wkts decl, 96 overs 402 mins) 285.
FALL OF WICKETS (7th onwards): 228, 233, 281.
BOWLING: D. Gamage 12-2-36-0, K. Fernando 25-1-94-4, H. Fernando 22-8-43-2, D. Perera 2-1-6-0, S. Peiris 20-7-34-1, T. Silva 14-4-41-1, P. Ranaweera 1-0-4-0.
PRINCE OF WALES COLLEGE - 1ST INNINGS
I. Hittetiya lbw b R. Balasuriya 10, K. Fernando c M. Fernando b D. Godfred 31, P. Ranaweera c M. Fernando b M. Fernando 4, H. Fernando b M. Fernando 54, C. Sampath lbw b M. Fernando 14. N. Ratnayake not out 27, J. Wannakuwatte 25, Extras (NB-4, W-3) 7.
TOTAL (for 5 wkts, 61 overs, 255 mts) 174.
FALL OF WICKETS: 12, 21, 54, 115, 128.
BOWLING: R. Balasuriya 8-2-11-1, D. Fernando 6-1-11-0, N. Fernando 6-2-24-1, D. Godfred 16-5-49-1, B. Mendis 1-0-4-0, C. Francis 11-1-36-0, M. Fernando 12-4-25-2, N. Wijesinghe 1-0-5-0.
The school has 2 bats and 3 pairs of pads
Wickremasheela Central needs help to play cricket
By A. C. de Silva and Leslie Fernando
WICKREMASHEELA Central College, Giriulla skipper Lasitha Bandula appeared to be somewhat dazed as he received the trophy for the Best Up and Coming Team from Cricket Board president Upali Dharmadasa at the Observer-Bata Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Awards for 1997 at Hotel Ceylon Intercontinental on Wednesday night.
It was a big moment for this little heard of school from the North Western Province. There's Maliyadeva and St. Anne's, both from Kurunegala, but not many know that Wickremasheela Central from Giriulla also play cricket.
To receive such a big award was something that the school did not anticipate all their lives as playing cricket has been quite a problem to the school.
No ground of their own for practices and for matches, no funds available for cricket materials.
It is more or less a beg and borrow game that the school authorities have to indulge in for cricket. For practices and for matches, they have to borrow materials from one of the clubs in Mirigama.
``We have just two bats and three pairs of pads,'' voiced skipper Lasitha Bandula and master-in-charge, Ananda Lal Jayasinghe, who were two of the most thrilled at the Observer-Bata show. Coach Lal Dinapoorna was also had hand and he said that the school has some talented players who could be groomed to better cricketers for the future, but finding the money for cricket is a big drawback.
Last season, the school played 9 matches, won three, drew three and lost three. When a match comes by, a big tussle has to be waged and school principal K. B. Wahalda has to use his good offices to get the U.C. Playground and the matting for practices and matches too.
Around 20 players attend practiced thrice a week, The players parent's even though they find it hard to make ends meet in day to day life, yet provide whatever help they could to the boys to pursue their interest in cricket.
No sophisticated kit bags, no special cricket shirts and longs, the boys at Wickremasheela Central wear the daily school uniforms when they play matches.
This school is bubbling with enthusiasm and their interest should broaden with the trophy won. But, the school needs help immediately and the sooner they receive help, it will serve Sri Lanka cricket better. Young Uns too
Besides the under 19 team, the school has an under 13 team which has entered the second round of the Horlicks Trophy tournament. In the District tournament, the school under 13 team beat Zahira Kurunegala, Maliyadeva, St. Anne's and Ibbagamuwa - and those results show that the school has potential to come up.
Chairman of Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited Mr. Aloy Ratnayake said that the Observer-Bata Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contests bring to light the performances of schoolboys from Colombo and from the outstations. He said that he was particulary happy that an unknown school upto now Wickremasheela Central College, Giriulla has won the award for the Best Up and Coming Team.
Managing Director of Bata Shoe Company, Mr. Fernando Garcia said that Bata and Observer have brought up the show for the 20th year. ``We will continue to have the show in the future as well,'' said Mr. Garcia.
He said that sport is enjoyed by all and that sport helps to discipline the youth of the country. He also thanked the three umpires associations who provide the umpires who act as judges in the contests.
Lalin Anthonis gets most votes in
Observer-Bata Cricket Contests
MARIS STELLA'S Lalin Anthonis received the most number of votes on Coupon No. 6 of the Observer-Bata Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contests. Anthonis figures in the Outstation Contest and he received 631 votes to have a total of 2,383 votes.
In second place in the Outstation Contest at the moment is Chanaka Wijesinghe of St. Sylvester's College, Kandy who received 500 votes to have an overall total of 1,205 votes. In third spot is another Sylvestarian cricketer T. Z. K. Hajireen with 571 votes.
In the All-Island Contest, Thomian cricketer Upeka Fernando leads with 2,633 votes but voting was slack for him. He got only 79 votes on count number six.
In second position in the All-Island Contest is Josephian Roshan de Silva who received 193 votes on coupon number six to have a total of 2,100 votes.
Ricardo Gunaratne of St. Anthony's Katugastota who was in fifth position last week, has gone upto third position after count on coupon number six. He too has topped the 1,000-vote mark. He has polled 1,001 votes.
Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year
Coupon No. 6
1. Upeka Fernando (S. Thomas' College) 2633
2. Roshan de Silva (St. Josephs College) 2100
3. Ricardo Gunaratne (St. Anthonys College Kandy) 1011
4. Niranjan Kumara (Nalanda College) 958
5. Jerome Fernando (St. Peters College) 538
6. Johannes Jayasuriya (St. Josephs College) 516
7. Tharindu Wickramasinghe (Thurstan College) 421
8. Suranga Morathota (Trinity College) 294
9. Mahesh Palihakkara (St. Anthonys College Kandy) 220
10. Priyankara Lorensuhewa (Richmond College) 95
Most Popular Outstation Schoolboy cricketer of the Year
Coupon No. 6
1. Lalin Anthonis (Maris Stella College) 2383
2. Chanaka Wijesinghe (St. Sylvesters College) 1205
3. T. Z. K. Hajireen (St. Sylvesters College) 571
4. Lanka Chinthaka Rodrigo (De Mazenod College) 331
5. Imran Samsudeen (Ananda Sastralaya Kotte) 82
6. Lakmal Fernando (Maris Stella College) 27
7. Malinga Bandara (Kalutara MV) 26
8. Mahes Perera (St. Anthonys College Wattala) 20
9. S. Gamage (Kingswood College) 19
10. Chaminda Ruwan (Holy Cross College Kalutara) 18.