Lyceum Nugegoda overcome Lyceum Panadura by 106 runs
Lyceum International Nugegoda beat Lyceum International Panadura by 106 runs to win the second annual Cricket encounter and claim the Nikitha Grero Challenge Trophy. The annual cricket encounter between the two branches of the Lyceum International Schools network in Nugegoda and Panadura.
Put into bat first, Lyceum Nugegoda posted 288 for the loss of 9 wickets and restricted Lyceum Panadura for 139 for 9 in 45 overs, after the target was revised for 275 in 45 overs due to rain interruptions.
Pasindu Rajapaksha, who top scored for Lyceum Nugegoda with a brish 53 off 40 balls, inclusive of eight fours and two sixes, went on to claim the Man-of-the-Match award. Openers Gamitha Pawan (27) and Vihanga Abeypitiya (27) good start for the winners, putting on 80 runs for the first wicket. It was then Pasindu’s turn to start fireworks as he got together with Gayan Preethimal (17) to add 66 runs for the third wicket.
Lyceum Nugegoda went on to lose wickets at quick sessions and were six down for 178 until skipper Dewmin de Alwis entered the field. He remained unbeaten on 31 off 46 balls inclusive of a boundary and two sixes to help Lyceum Nugegoda reach 288-9 off 50 overs. Left-arm spinner Sithira Tennakoon claimed three scalps while off-spinner Vimantha Ransilu picked two wickets.
The run-chase was not so pleasing for Lyceum Panadura, who lost three quick wickets at 10. Isuru Perera (30 and Nesanda Weerasekara (38) anchored to put on 65 runs for the fourth wicket and help them recover but they failed to recover after losing the wickets of both these batsmen. Eventually Lyceum Panadura were restricted to 139-9 in 45 overs. Isuru faced 69 balls and hit three fours to hit 30 while Nesanda’s marathon knock of 38 came off 79 balls inclusive of four boundaries. Coming down the order, Navodh Kalupahana scored 20 off 38 balls.
Wickets were shared by off-spinner Gayana Preethimal, who claimed three and right-arm pace bowler Lakindu Rajaratne and left-arm spinner Nisal Hettiarachchi, who picked two wickets each. Gayana went on to claim the Best Bowler’s award while his team-mate Vihanga Abeypitiya was adjudged the Best Fielder. Panadura’s Nesanda was awarded the Best Batsman for his patient knock.
Last year at the inaugural encounter, Lyceum Panadura became the champions of the Battle of the Lyceumers by chasing the winning total of 92 runs in just 11.5 overs to record a 5-wicket win. Lyceum Nugegoda were bowled out for 91 in 29 overs after being put into bat first.
This year the Nugegoda team was led by the versatile Dewmin de Alwis while his counterpart from Panadura was the flamboyant Nesanda Weerasekara.
Scores
Lyceum Nugegoda 288 for 9 wickets in 50 overs (Gamitha Pawan 25, Vihanga Abeypitiya 27, Pasindu Rajapaksha 53, Gayana Preethimal 17, Ravindu Rajarathne 13, Dewmin de Alwis 31n.o, Nisal Hettiarachchi 19, Lakindu Rajarathne 11, Sithara Tennakoon 3/51, Vimantha Ransilu 2/36, Isuru Perera 1/35, Aditha Iddamalgoda 1/58)
Lyceum Panadura 139 for 9 wickets in 45 overs (Isuru Perera 30, Nesanda Weerasekara 38, Navodh Kalupahana 20, Devin Rodrigo 12n.o, Gayana Preethimal 3/36, Lakindu Rajarathne 2/13, Nisal Hettiarachchi 2/22, Kalindu Akalanka 1/14, Vihanga Abeypitiya 1/16)
- Text and pix NA
Vihanga Abeypitiya
Gayana Preethimal
Nesanda Weerasekara
Pasindu Rajapaksha
Champion team Lyceum Nugegoda receiving the award from Nikhitha Grero