Big Match: Thomians declare at 350-5, Royal bat one over before rain stops play

Royal College were 1 for no loss, trailing S. Thomas’ College by 349 runs, when stumps were drawn earlier than scheduled time due to rain on the first day of the 137th Battle of the Blues encounter at the SSC ground in Colombo today (10). 

Royal faced one over before play ended for the day, soon after S. Thomas’ declared their first innings after reaching 350-5. 

Thomian skipper Sachitha Jayathilake remained unbeaten on 50 when his side declared after facing a total of 75 overs to reach 350 runs. 

Jayathilake faced 31 deliveries during his quick-fire knock which included two fours and five sixes while Ravindu Tillakaratne remained unbeaten on 11 off 14 deliveries with two boundaries. 

Thomian openers Rashmika Opatha and Yohan Mendis made a good start as they almost went to create a record for the first wicket, before being separated at 197.

After reaching 146 runs for no loss at lunch, the Thomians accelerated with Opatha reaching his century soon after the second session began. 

Eventually he was dismissed for 124, caught by Royal skipper Geeshath Panditharatne off Himesh Ramanayake. 

Opatha faced 131 deliveries and hit 16 fours and four sixes. 

Mendis played rather cautiously, facing 133 deliveries before being dismisses two runs later at 199 for 64. 

He hit seven boundaries. 

Middle-order batsmen Ravindu Kodituwakku and Yohan Perera contributed with useful knocks as Royal bowlers made inroads to claim quick wickets from time to time. 

Kodituwakku made 35 off 61 deliveries with five fours and a six and Perera hit 38 off 58 balls inclusive of five boundaries.

Royal used eight bowlers but Himesh Ramanayake, Duvindu Hettiarachchi, Lasith Embuldeniya and Ganeeth Sandeepa managed to pick a wicket each, while Helitha Vithanage and wicketkeeper Tiran Dhanapala effected a run out. 

Royal won the toss elected to field. 

Both Royal and S. Thomas’ have won 34 matches each during the past and this encounter will be anticipated to be a keen battle.

The match continues on Friday (11) and Saturday (12).

First innings scores

S. Thomas’ 350 for 5 wickets (75) declared (Yohan Mendis 64, Rashmika Opatha 124, Ravindu Kodituwakku 35, Yohan Perera 38, Sachitha Jayathilake 50n.o, Ravindu Tillakaratne 11n.o, Lasith Embuldeniya 1/42, Duvindu Hettiarachchi 1/55, Ganith Sandeepa 1/58, Himesh Ramanayake 1/98)

Did not bat: Romesh Nallaperuma, Senal de Silva, Danush Peiris, Hansaka Liyanaarachchi

Royal 1 for no loss (1) at stumps Day 1 (Naveen Widanapathirana 1n.o, Ronuka Jayarawardene 0n.o.)

To bat: Geeshath Panditharatne (Capt), Tiran Dhanapala (wk), Lasith Embuldeniya, Himesh Ramanayake, Helitha Vithanage, Ganith Sandeepa, Duvindu Hettiarachchi, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Malith Kariyawasam.