Richmond trounce STC Matara by an innings and 181 runs to register tenth outright win

Wednesday, 5 March 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

All-island schools under 19 cricket tournament Text and pix by P.D. De Silva Richmond College registered their tenth outright win of the season as well as their fifth consecutive innings win to end the All Island Schools Under 19 two day cricket tournament by defeating St. Thomas College, Matara by an innings and 181 runs at the Uyanwatte stadium yesterday. The match commenced at 12:30 p.m. on day one as the wicket needed to dry up. On winning the toss St. Thomas’ skipper Nevindu Udesh invited Richmond to take first lease of the wicket.

STC’s opening bowlers Heshan Hasanka and Dilum Krishan had Richmond in a spot at 3/24 in the eighth over of the day but skipper Sithara Gimhan (81) and Wanidu Hasaranga (41) shared a 90-run partnership off eighty balls or the fourth wicket while Pasindu Bimsara (50) and Saveen Nanayakkara (51) shared an 83 run partnership for the eighth wicket. Wanidu Hasaranga (41) and Kamindu Mendis (31) made useful contributions with the bat and Richmond’s innings ended at 322 in the 63rd over of the day. STC had registered 11 runs facing 2.2 overs when umpires Gracien Liyanage and A.M.C.V. Kumara called off further play due to bad light at 5:52 p.m. on day one but on resumption of play yesterday Waruna Deshapriya (4/16), Wanidu Hasaranga (3/15) and Saveen Nanayakkara (2/22) restricted the Thomians to 89 runs. On being asked to follow on the Thomians were bundled out for 52 runs by Charith Asalanka and Wanidu Hasaranga who captured four wickets each. STC were seven wickets down for 19 runs in the eight over of the day when Osanda Chanupathi (19) and Vidath Jayanidu (14) shared a 32 run partnership for the eighth wicket. Waruna Deshapriya gave Richmond its fifth consecutive innings win by bowling out Vidath Jayanidu in the 20th over of the innings. Richmond have registered ten out right wins four first innings wins and have conceded two first innings losses to head the all island schools under 19 division one points table for the 2013/2014 cricket season and are favourites to clinch the one day tournament which will commence in a few days time. Richmond 322 in 62.5 overs Sithara Gimhan 81, Wanidu Hasaranga 41, Kamindu Mendis 31, Pasindu Bimsara 50, Saveen Nanayakkara 51 Heshan Hasanka 2/20, Dilum Krishan 2/54, St Thomas 89 in 33 overs Rusiru Akshaya 20, Lasith Lakshan 19 WarunaDeshapriya 4/16, Wanidu Hasaranga 3/15, Saveen Nanayakkara 2/22 And 52 in 19.3 overs Osanda Chanupathi 19 Charith Asalanka 4/24, Wanidu Hasaranga 4/12, Waruna Deshapriya 2/04