AGS triumph at inaugural Big Match against RIS
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Asian Grammar School, Colombo recorded a comfortable 93-run victory over Royal International School, Kurunegala to claim the ‘Dr. Newton Peiris-Dr. Thushari Koralage Challenge Trophy 2023’, in their inaugural cricket big match encounter played at the D.S. Senanayake College ground in Wijerama Mawatha.Put into bat first, Asian Grammar School (AGS) posted 223 runs with three overs in hand from their allotted number of 50 overs. Hesala Liyanaarachchi top scored for AGS with a run-a-ball 47 followed by a useful knock from Lochana Sirimanne, who made 38 off 50 deliveries. Dinul Weerasinghe (20) and Mayusha Shenal (16) chipped in with useful contributions. Upeka Malliyawadu and Senuda Moragaspitiya claimed three wickets each.
Chasing a gettable target of 224 runs, Royal International School (RIS) succumbed to 130 runs in 43.4 overs. They failed to make progress despite a fighting knock by Senan Kaluhendiwela, who resolutely batted to score 47 runs off 96 deliveries. Pramodya Rajapaksha was equally resolute during his knock of 23 off 34 balls, but that couldn’t help RIS in any way. Dinul Weerasinghe bowled brilliantly to claim three scalps, conceding just 17 runs inclusive of three maiden overs. Isala Liyanage was equally attacking, as he finished with figures of three for 32.
Asian Grammar School claimed three out of four individual awards on offer, as Dinul Weerasinghe was aptly named the man-of-the-match for his 20 and three wickets. Hesala Liyanaarachchi, who top scored during the inaugural big match, was bamed the best batsman while Isala Liyanage was named the best bowler. RIS’ Akarsha Karunaratne was named the best fielder.
Members of both teams received their medals and certificates from former Sri Lanka cricket captain Sanath Jayasuriya, who went on to present the challenge trophy to winners AGS in the presence of the founders of both schools — Dr. Newton Peiris and Dr. Thushari Koralage.