The group stage matches of the Prima U15 Provincial Championship kicked off last weekend. Here’s a brief look into the matches which took place today.
North Central Province VS Southern Province
An unbeaten opening partnership by Ravindu Rashantha and Navod Paranawithana guided Southern Province to a convincing 10 wicket victory over North Central Province today at Maradana. Ravindu top scored with 75 and his partner was unbeaten on 55 as they chased down a target of 145 runs in just 21.2 overs. Early on after electing to bat first, North Central Province was bowled out for just 144 runs. Mithun Vishaka and Sandun Mendis grabbed 3 wickets each for the Northerners.
North Central Province 144 (47.5) Punsara Piumal 35, Mithun Vishaka 3/23, Sadun Mendis 3/12, Rifnaz Sudeen 2/17
Southern Province 145/0 (21.2) Ravindu Rashantha 75*, Navod Paranavithana 55*
Eastern Province VS Western Province South
Another low scoring affair between these two sides ended in an easy 7 wicket victory for Western Province South at Mahara Prison Grounds. Eastern Province won the toss and elected to bat first but they were cleaned up for just 116 runs in 42.3 overs. Kavindu Lakshitha top scored with 47 while Thinura Fernando bagged 3 wickets for just 13 runs. In reply, Western South cruised over the line in just 22.5 overs with Himsara Randeniya’s unbeaten knock of 65 which guided them till the end.
Eastern Province 116 (42.3) Kavindu Lakshitha 47, Thinura Fernando 3/13, N S D Mel 2/19, Janishka Perera 2/14
Western Province South 119/3 (22.5) Himsara Randeniya 65*, Javishka Perera 29, Nelu Akash 2/32
Western Province South-Outer VS Central Province
A splendid all-round performance by Western South-Outer saw them registering a 57 run victory against Central Province at Mattegoda today. After they won the toss and elected to bat first, Western South-Outer managed to put up a formidable total of 231 runs. Ashan Dilhara and Ranesh Duminda contributed with valuable half centuries. Central Province fought right till the end but due the fall of wickets they could not keep up with the asking rate. Abhishek Anandakumar scored an unbeaten 61 for Central Province but his efforts were all in vain when he ran out of partners at the other end. Central Province was bowled out for 174 runs which gave Western South-Outer a 57 run victory.
Western Province South Outer 231 (49.1)Ashan Dilhara 68, Ranesh Duminda 60, Mithunaka Wijethilake 4/22, Kasun Janasantha 2/41
Central Province 174 (45) Abishek Anandhakumar 61*, Lahiru Madhushanka 2/37, Rohan Sanjaya 2/29
North Western Province VS Western Province Central
It was a thriller at Panagoda Army grounds between these two sides. The Game went right to the wire but at the end it was Western Province Central who claimed the victory by just 2 wickets. North Western won the toss and elected to bat first. Due to some good disciplined bowling by the Westerners, North Western was bowled out for just 164 runs. Amitha Dabare ended with figures of 4 for 23. With a fairly easy target ahead, Western Province Central made lives harder for themselves by loosing wickets at regular intervals. But thanks to valuable cameos by the tail enders, they managed to cross the line with more than 6 overs to spare and 2 wickets in hand.
North Western Province 164 (49.4) Dulaj Ashen 37, Miranga Wickramage 3/36, Amitha Dabare 4/23
Western Province Central 168/8 (43.5) Toran Baskaran 38, Nishan Amarasinghe 28, Pawan Rathnayake 21, Brian Karunanayake 3/18
Uva Province VS Western Province North
Chihan Kalindu’s 84 runs with the bat helped Uva Province to secure an important victory against Western Province North today. Uva won the toss and elected to bat first which worked to their favor as their batsmen managed to post 258 for 7 in 50 overs. Chihan was well supported by Kavindu Lakshan and Thevin Amarasinghe who chipped in the 32 and 38 respectively. Western Province North was on par in the run chase but due to the fall of wickets they ended up getting bowled out for just 209 runs in 42 overs. Dinith Jayakody top scored with 59 while Tharidu Rathnayke took a fiver for Uva. Uva won the match by 49 runs.
Uva Province 258/7 (50) Chihan Kalindu 84, Thevin Amarasinghe 38, Kavindu Lakshan 32, Lakshan Gamage 2/63, Raveen De Silva 3/35
Western Province North 209 (42) Dinith Jayakody 59, Ravin De Silve 46, Avishka Perera 37, Tharindhu Rathnayake 5/37
Western Province North Outer VS Northern Province
Western Province North Outer had it easy against Northern Province today at Thurstan College grounds. After they won the toss and elected to bat first, they posted 228 runs in their lot of 50 overs. Dayan Pankaja top scored with 49 runs. In reply Northerners could only manage 114 runs which gave Western Province North-Outer a 114 run victory.
Western Province North Outer 228/9 (50)Dayan Pankaja 49, Janidu Jayawardane 40, M Yeshikumar 3/38, K Neelarasan 3/49
Northern Province 114 (43)
