Ananda College took home a slender lead of 3 runs at stumps on day one at Colts grounds in their ‘Singer Trophy’ under 19 division 1 group B cricket encounter against Isipathana College today.

The home team captain, Sanjula Abeywickrama of Isipathana College won the toss and elected to field first on a bright and sunny morning. Opening batsman Kavindu Gimhana was dismissed for 3 in the 5th over by Neranjan Wanniarachchi.

Left-handed Sahan Suraweera and one-drop batsman Dushan Hettige added 42 runs for the 2nd wicket before the latter was dismissed for 18 by left-arm spinner Lahiru Dilshan. Sri Lanka U19 player and former Ananda College captain Sammu Ashan’s stay was limited to only 10 balls as he played a rather poor stroke off Dilshan to be dismissed for 8.

Ananda College v Isipathana College – U19 Cricket Tournament 2016/17 | Day 2

Ashel Sigera, Kamesh Nirmal and Supun Waragoda got good starts but failed to capitalize and go onto make a big score. The best partnership of the innings was between Suraweera and Sigera.

With the pitch turning square and bouncing unexpectedly, Suraweera blasted 5 sixes and 5 fours during an entertaining 68-ball 65 which laid the foundation for the visitors. Tall and lanky, Dilshan was the pick of the bowlers taking 5 wickets for 61 bowling 14 overs. Off-spinner Sanjula Bandara gave away 22 runs for his 3 scalps as Ananda College was bowled out for just 163 runs in the 48th over.

Isipathana in their reply lost both their openers, Kalana Perera and Pathum Nissanka cheaply as the fast-bowling duo of Ananda College, skipper Kavishka Anjula and Sahan Suraweera struck gold within the first four overs.  

Number 3 batsman, Heshan Danushka Fernando batted superbly to anchor the Isipathana innings even though wickets fell at regular intervals. Fernando smashed 3 sixes and 6 fours during his enterprising 94-ball knock of 53.

After being 76 for 2 at one stage, the hosts were bowled out for 160 in the final over of the day as the Anandian spinners dominated the game with the light fading away. Vice-captain and left-arm spinner, Dileepa Jayalath bagged 2 wickets while Sammu Ashan bowled 17 overs for his 2 scalps.

The match was interrupted several times due to brief showers but the scheduled 95 overs were completed. The game is in balance with 20 wickets falling today for just 323 runs but batting will be tough on day two as the surface offers variable bounce and venomous turn for the spinners.

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Ananda College – 163 all out in 47.2 overs: Sahan Suraweera 65, Dushan Hettige 18, Ashel Sigera 15, Lahiru Dilshan 5/61, Sanjula Bandara 3/22.

Isipathana College – 160 all out in 44.2 overs: Heshan Danushka Fernando 53, Sanjula Abeywickrama 19, Ayana Siriwardana 17, Dileepa Jayalath 2/24, Ashel Sigera 2/07, Sammu Ashan 2/46.

Replay – Ananda College v Isipathana College – U19 Cricket Tournament 2016/17 | Day 1