Ratnavali Gampaha’s first touch on Battle of Queens Trophy
View(s):Ratnawali Balika Vidyalaya, Gampaha had their first touch on the glittering Battle of the Queens Trophy by scoring a heroic 29 run victory over fancied Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda in their 2nd clash of the Battle of Queens Limited Overs match at the R. Premadasa International Stadium last week.
This clash of the two power houses of Girls schools cricket was witnessed by a large gathering of spectators, both present and past students of the two institutions along with the Principals, the academic staff members. Singer Sri Lanka the main sponsor of the event graced the occasion with officials of the Sri Lanka Cricket.
Favourites, Anula Vidyalaya won the first round when their skipper Harshitha Madavi called correctly at the toss of the coin and invited the Gampaha School to take first strike on overcast conditions. Her decision paid dividends as Ratnavali Balika batters found difficult handling the well balanced Anula attack.
Only Amadhi Kavindya and skipper Pabasara Ranabahu batted with confident to be the top scorers with 25 and 22 runs respectively. Janadi Amali was the pick of the bowlers to capture four wickets for 16. She was well supported by Ashmini Kalindi picking up two for 25 runs. This duo made the Ratnavali batters feel uncomfortable and were mainly responsible in dismissing Ranavali for 135 runs off 44.5 overs.
Anula Vidyalaya got off to a decent start and after the fall of the first wicket Anulian captain Harshitha Madavi at the center played some elegant drives and pulls signaling an Anula victory in succession. Ranavali skipper wisely introduced Nethmi Ariyaratne into the attack. Ariyaratne immediately got into action dismissing dangerous looking Anula captain and removed promising Janadi Anali in the next over to put Anula on a spot of bother at 56 for 4.
With the two main hopes of Anula back in the pavilion, the Nugegoda school middle and lower order batting got unsettled as Nethmi Ariyaratne captured two more quick wickets saw Anula dismissed for 106 off 43.3 overs giving Ratnawali a well deserved 29 runs win.
– Lakshman Ranasinghe;
Pix by Priyantha Wickramaarachchi
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