Trinity, Richmond clash for first U-17 plum
The Inter-School Under-17 Division I cricket tournament will come to an end with the final clash between Trinity and Richmond scheduled to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium today.
The two teams will be coming into the game seeking to win their first U-17 title outright, even though Trinity has been joint champions on an earlier occasion.
Richmond College Under-17s
Trinity led by Shavindu Amarasinghe played 13 matches with seven in the first round and three in the second round added to the pre-quarter, quarter and semi-final where they had their unbeaten record tarnished by St. Sebastian’s in a second round match.
Trinity won all their seven first round matches against St Thomas Matale, Ibbagamuwa Central, Vidyartha, St. Mary’s Kegalle, Sri Rahula Katugastota, Dharmaraja and St. Sylvester’s.
From the three matches they played in the second round the Trinitians defeated Mahanama Colombo and Rahula Matara but had their unbeaten record tarnished by St. Sebastian’s.
In the knockout stage Trinity booked their berth to the final overcoming St. Peter’s in the pre-quarter, Ananda in the quarter and St. Joseph’s in the semi-final.
On the other hand Richmond led by Charith Asalanka will be coming into the game with a clean record of having played 12 matches since the tournament got underway inclusive of the pre-quarter, quarter and semi-final encounters.
They remained unbeaten by winning 11 of the matches with one match against Holy Cross Kalutara which was a second round match being washed out by rain.
Trinity College Under-17s
Richmond too won all the six matches they played in the first round against P. de S. Kularatne MV Ambalangoda, Dharmasoka MV Ambalangoda, Kalutara MV, Sri Devananda MV Ambalangoda, Devapathiraja MMV Rathgama and Revatha MMV Balapitiya.
The three matches they played in the second round saw them secure two wins against De Mazenod Kandana and St. Sylvester’s Kandy with the match against Holy Cross Kalutara ending in a no result.
In the knockout stage Richmond beat Maliyadeva Kurunegala in the pre-quarter-final and then followed it up with two convincing wins in the quarter and semi-finals against Lumbini MV and St. Sebastian’s to advance to the final.
Trinity will depend on three of their leading batsmen Hasitha Boyagoda who has scored over 490 runs with five half tons, Dilan Madusanka the only centurion of the side with over 450 runs and Sachira Gamindu who has scored over 300 runs.
The responsibilities of curtailing the opponents will be in the hands of Shanmuganathan Shanogeeth and Lahiru Kumara who together share 30 wickets between them.
Richmond have three centurions in the side in Kamindu Mendis who has scored over 500 runs with one ton and four half tons, deputy skipper Wanindu Hasaranga has scored over 400 runs inclusive of two tons and two half tons and skipper Asalanka who has over 350 runs to his credit with two tons. To support the trio there is opener Dhananjaya Lakshan who has scored nearly 300 runs.
The bowling will revolve around three players Wanindu Hasaranga, Dhananjaya Lakshan and Ramindu Vishmitha who all have taken over 15 wickets each and has been the backbone of the bowling attack of Richmond.
The final is also going to be a battle against the two coaches Richmond’s Dhammika Sudarshana and Trinity’s Sampath Perera as they will be looking forward to clinch their first Under-17 title since the duo took over coaching the respective schools.
In recent times the two schools have gone great heights since they took over with both schools emerging All Island champions in the Under-19 category. Trinity was the champions in 2011 and 2012 and Richmond are the champions for last two years.
Trinity however have shared the Under-17 title with Ananda 21 years ago in 1993 and have been unsuccessful on two occasions in 2009 and 2010 where they lost in the final while Richmond is playing in a final in this age group for the first time.
The squads:
Trinity: Shavindu Amarasinghe (Capt), Tashila Dodanwala (V. Capt), Lahiru Kumara, Shanmuganathan Shanogeeth, Sachira Gamindu, Hasitha Boyagoda, Dilan Madusanka, Indresh Ariyasinghe, Chanuka Bandara, Dilan Samarasinghe, Yasaran Pitawala, Thyagarajah Bhanugopan, Malintha Ranasinghe, Keshawa Ratnayake; Sampath Perera (Coach), Kavinda Jayasuriya (Asst Coach), Lasantha Herath (Physio), M.M.M. Dissanayake (MIC).
Richmond: Charith Asalanka (Capt), Wanindu Hasaranga (V. Capt), Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Hasaru Chamikara, Duveen Kalansuriya, Randika Epa, Ramindu Vishmitha, Avindu Theekshana, Isiwara Chamindu, K.K. Kevin, Thisara Divan, Manula Krishantha, Nipuna Eranga, Udesh Gimhan, Dhanuka Priyadharshana, Dhammika Sudarshana (Coach), Lakmal de Silva (Asst Coach), Damith Prasanna (MIC).