Richmond record first innings win over gritty Thomians
Helakamal Nanayakkara and Sachitha Jayatileke led S. Thomas’ College recovery in the morning session of play against Richmond College who had to be satisfied with a first inning win in the Under-19 Inter-School cricket encounter concluded at Mt. Lavinia yesterday.
Richmond bowlers had to work hard for wickets
The pair came to the rescue of the Thomians when they were in deep trouble at the end of the first day’s play with the score on 67 for 6. Helakamal made a dogged unbeaten knock of 59 in 210 balls which had seven boundaries.
Helakamal along with Sachitha who made a contribution of 33 frustrated the Richmond bowlers when they added a valuable 53 runs for the eighth wicket and with useful knocks coming from Tharindu Ratnayake and Shenal de Silva the Thomians were able to end their innings with a respectable score of 205.
This was in reply to the massive score of 305 put on the board by the Richmondites which came on the back of a fine knock of 126 by Charith Asalanka which comprised 14 boundaries and four sixes.
Charith followed it up with a fine bowling performance as he ended up as Richmond’s top wicket taker with figures of 4 for 55.
The Thomians made to follow on and having to erase a deficit of 101 runs was guided by unbeaten half tons from Nipuna Gamage and Sachitha
Helakamal Nanayakkara top scored for the S. Thomas’ with a stubborn knock of 59 - Pix by Anuradha Bandara
Jayatileke who put an unbroken 86 runs for the sixth wicket enabling them to end the day on 158 for 5.
At Mt Lavinia: Match drawn
Richmond 305 (Charith Asalanka 126, Kamindu Mendis 37, Wanindu Hasaranga 35, Bhanuka Madupriya 29; Sachitha Jayatileke 2 for 43, Shenal de Silva 2 for 49, Pasindu Sasanka 2 for 53)
S. Thomas’ (67/6 overnight) 205 (Helakamal Nanayakkara 59, Sachitha Jayatileke 33, Ravindu Sasanka 21, Tharindu Ratnayake 21, Yohan Mendis 17, Shenal de Silva 15; Charith Asalanka 4 for 55, Wanindu Hasaranga 2 for 30, Bhanuka Madupriya 2 for 45, Saveen Nanayakkara 2 for 58) and 158 for 5 (Nipuna Gamage 51 n.o., Sachitha Jayatileke 50 n.o.: Wanindu Hasarabga 3 for 40, Charith Asalanka 2 for 35)