Pathum’s 128 — the top knock
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Pasindu Sooriyabandara was in form, hitting 71 for Western Province Central - File pic
The second set of four matches of the Super Under-19 Provincial 2-day Cricket Tournament organised by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will get underway today with teams from the Western Province coming out as probable favourites.
Uva is set to play against Western Province North at Campbell Park while North Western will meet Western Province Central at Colts ground. Western Province South will take on Eastern Province at P. Sara Oval in a game where an outcome is possible as North Central and Southern provinces clash at Surrey Village in Maggona.
With rain coming in as a spoiler, the four games that kick-started the five-match first round on April 19, could not reach full throttle. Three games ended in No Decisions while one of the top favourites of the ten teams in contentions, Western Province South managed to rake up first innings points in their opening match against North Central at Panadura.
From the concluded four games, two centurions came out. Pathum Nissanka of Western Province Central came out with the first ton and highest knock so far with a fluent 128 against Western Province North at Campbell Park. Mishen Silva of Western Province South was the other century maker, he hit 103 against North Central.
In addition four half centuries have been scored by well seasoned batsmen. The best out of all — a knock of 71 came from Pasindu Sooriyabandara, the match winner for Royal College in the 137th Battle of the Blues, for Western Province Central against Western Province North. Ananda College skipper Sammu Ashan remained unbeaten on 55 appearing for WP North who made 94-3 against WP Central’s 291.
Navindu Fernando’s contribution for WP South was 58 as they made 271-7 in reply to North Central’s 181, in the only match to have a clear verdict. Lasith Croosepulle hit 67 not out for Eastern Province, who were 125-4 at close in reply to Central Province’s 162.
Out of all bowling performances Avindu Theekshana stood out from the rest with his figures of 7 for 51 for Uva Province against Northern Province. Eastern Province’s Naveen Gunawardene followed in next with figures of 6 for 35 for Eastern Province against Central Province. WP North’s Jehan Daniel, WP South’s Thilan Nimesh and Praveen Jayawickrame of Northern Province picked four-wicket hauls.
Matches have been scheduled for April 28 and 29, May 2 and 3 and May 6 and 7 before the top two teams from the two groups of five teams each take on each other in a three-day final from May 10 to 12 at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
This week’s matches: Uva vs Western Province North at Campbell Park, North Western vs Western Province Central at Colts, Western Province South vs Eastern at P. Sara Oval and North Central vs Southern at Surrey Village.
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