Wycherley humble CIS
Wycherley International School clinched the Lalith Athulathmudali Challenge Trophy at the 23rd annual cricket encounter defeating Colombo International School at the MCA Grounds recently.
Wycherley International winning the toss and taking first lease of the wicket posted a respectable 217 runs in their allotted 50 overs. Thanks to a fighting 66 by Nushrif Nisthar who kept one end going played some elegant drives on the on and off sides. Picking up the loose deliveries Nisthar dispatched them to the fence with power.
Nisthar was never troubled by CIS bowlers Aaron Fernando and Bredford Fernando who claimed 4 for 23 and 3 for 26 respectively.
The duo kept the Wycherley International batters in check in bowling to a nagging length. The half centurian received good support Umar Salam who was unlucky to miss a well deserved half ton by four runs. Nisthar batted confidently as he found a fine partner at the other end in Salam who batted with authority making stroke making easy for Nisthar. Shennon Ruhunuhewa was the other batter making a useful 18 runs lending a good support for Nisthar and Salam.
Chasing the victory target it was Ashen Gonagala stood alone for CIS as he played the sheet anchor role to be the top scorer with a polished inning of 44 runs. Gonagala’s concentration was disturbed when he saw wickets falling from the other end at regular intervals.
The presence of Nathan Nimalasiri and Ammar Saddiqui at the wicket brought some hope for the losers as both batsmen making a bold attempt in reaching the victory target. But with the departure of both scoring 21 runs each the writing was on the wall for CIS.
Mahesh Randima and Akmal Hassan were the two bowlers who made run scoring difficult for CIS batters to capture 3 for 33 and 2 for 40 respectively to dismiss them for 161.
Umar Salam (WIS) carried the Best Batsman award while Aaron Fernando (WIS) was adjudged the Best Bowler. Akmal Hassan of CIS won the award for the Best Fielder and the Man of the Match award went to Nushrif Nisthar (WIS).
Chief Scores:
Wycherley International School-217 (50) (Nushrif Nisthar 66, Umar Salam 46, Shennon Ruhunuhewa 18, Aaron Fernando 4 for 23, Bredford Fernando 3 for 26)
Colombo International School-161 (Ashen Gonagala 44, Nathan Nimalasiri 21, Ammar Saddiqui 21, Mahesh Randima 3 for 33, Akmal Hassan 2 for 40) – Lakshman Ranasinghe; Pix by Ranjith Perera
