Sigera guides Ananda to semi-final stage
Match winner Asel Sigera in action - Pic by Amila Gamage
A superb allround performance from Asel Sigera helped Ananda College record a convincing 67-run win against Prince of Wales College as they booked a berth in the semi-final of Singer Schools Under-19 Limited Overs Tournament after the quarter-final clash played at St. Peter’s College ground in Bambalapitiya yesterday.
Sigera contributed with 24 after Ananda elected to bat first and with Nipun Hakgalla’s timely knock they made 200 runs but were bowled out with five deliveries remaining. However the Anandians bounced back, playing well as a unit, as Sigera returned to capture four scalps and curtail the Cambrians to 133 with 26 deliveries to go.
Hakgalla top scored for Ananda with a fluent 58 and Dinuka Gimhan hit 44 as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Dilanka Gunasekara, Anjula Sahan and Suwath Mendis picked two wickets apiece and set Prince of Wales in a comfortable position with a reasonable target to chase.
But things became awkward for the Cambrians as they lost wickets unexpectedly in their run chase. Vihanga Weerakkody top scored for them with 25 while Suwath Mendis and Sanoj Dharshika chipped in with useful knocks. Left-arm spinner Sigera captured 4 for 29 to lead the Ananda onslaught as deputy skipper and off-spinner Sammu Ashan supported well by claiming 3 for 13. Dileepa Jayalath picked two wickets.
Ananda will meet St. Sebastian’s College in the semi-final of the competition at the R. Premadasa Stadium tomorrow. Today Trinity College will take on St. Peter’s College in the remaining quarter-final clash where the winner is set to meet Nalanda College in the second semi-final at R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.
Ananda 200 all out in 49.1 overs (Asela Sigera 24, Nipun Hakgalla 58, Dinuka Gimhan 44, Dilanka Gunasekara 2/28, Anjula Sahan 2/32, Suwath Mendis 2/44)
Prince of Wales 133 all out in 43.3 overs (Vihanga Weerakkody 25, Suwath Mendis 21, Sanoj Dharshika 23, Asel Sigera 4/29, Sammu Ashan 3/13, Dileepa Jayalath 2/13)