BMS, Saegis Campus, Thurstan and KDU in semis
The Red Bull Campus Cricket National Finals 2017 that began on July 3 has ended in four out of the 22 competing colleges triumphantly booking their place for the semi-finals, which is to be held on July 21. Business Management School (BMS), reigning World Champions 2016, Saegis Campus, Thurstan College and Kothalawala Defense University (KDU) have pulled through the pack to gain their semi-final spot.
The first quarter-finals held the reigning World Champions, BMS against Richmond College, Galle. Richmond failing to adjust to the tight bowling of BMS led by Ranitha Liyanarachchi hiccoughed to a modest 115 before BMS, with the help of Supeshala Jayathilake’s unbeaten 27, overhauled Richmond’s total with something to spare to win the match by 4 wickets.
Though the target was just 116, BMS batsmen too failed to make it a confident run-chase as they also lost wickets at closer intervals after the 35-run first-wicket stand between Geshan Wimaladharma and Hashan Dumindu. However, when they were tottering at 67 for five in the 13th over, Supeshala Jayathilake pulled things back in their favour with an unbeaten 26-ball 27 to ensure their victory with three overs and four wickets to spare. Amshi de Silva and Thaveesha Abhishek bowled well for Richmond, but they could not quite do it due to the meagerness of the total they had to defend.
Saegis Campus against Lyceum International School looked to be a tight contest from the Group Stages onwards. When Saegis decided to take the first lease, three good knocks by Thikshila de Silva, Oshada Fernando and Lasith Abeyratne helped them reach an imposing 193 from their 20 overs. Chasing an imposing 194 to win, Lyceums got up to their hundred in the 10th over with just four wickets down after openers put on a quickfire 30 from just 20 balls. With No.3 batsman, Sanjeewa Kumaraswami setting the base for a confident run-chase the match game seemed to be moving in their favour.
However, loss of a few wickets following Sanjeewa’s departure slowed down Lyceum’s approach towards the end to fall short by 30 runs in the end booking Saegis Campus the second semi-final berth of the contest. Meanwhile, Thurstan College made their way in to the semi-finals without a contest as they received a walkover from their quarter-final opponents, Ananda College.
KDU completed the semi-final lineup eliminating the Foundation of Goodness Academy (FOG) with a 51-run win, which was assisted by a 43-run opening stand in just under five overs between Ramith Gunarathne and Ravindu Uyanhewa that played a big part in eliminating FOG and confirmed KDU the final spot in the semi-finals.
The two semi-finals matches Thurstan College vs BMS and Saegis Campus vs KDU will be worked off on July 21 at the P. Sara Oval Stadium with the finals on the following day at the same venue.
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