Gold’s battle peters out to a draw
Prince of Wales batsman Prince Fernando drives - Pic byRanjith Perera
Evidently there was not going to be a positive result at the 68th Battle of the Gold’s encounter between traditional rivals St Sebastian’s and Prince of Wales at De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa.
From the word go a draw was in the cards as positive cricket was not on in the two days play. The Cambrians resuming from their overnight score of 76 for 3 lost the wicket at the same score of Sandun Fernando and then went on the defensive as they plodded for over 15 overs before losing their fifth wicket on 105.
This followed with them losing two quick wickets after Avindu Fernando who made a 56 and Praveen Cooray added 27 runs for the sixth wicket to slip to 133 for 7.
Thereafter Sanoj Dharshika who remained unbeaten on 56 and Devaka Peiris who made an unbeaten 40 associated in an unbroken partnership of 94 runs before the declaration was made with the total on 227 for 6 in reply to the Sebs score of 159 made on day one.
From there the match was of academic interest as the Cambrians though having a lead of 68 runs the outcome was never in doubt as it fizzled out into a tame with the Sebs in their second innings ending the day on 152 for 6.
Scoreboard
St. Sebastian’s 1st innings 159 all out in 50.1 overs (Shanel Fernando 22, Nishitha Abilash 28, Tharusha Fernando 18, Praveen Cooray 22, Janishka Perera 32, Kaumal Nanayakkara 6-45, Savindu Peiris 4-48)
Prince of Wales 1st inning (overnight 76/3)
Sandun Fernando lbw b Jayawickrama 30
Vishwa Chathuranga c Peiris b T. Perera 0
Prince Fernando c Jayawickrama b Cooray 0
Suwath Mendis c Peiris b T. Perera 21
Avindu Fernando c Jayawickrama b Ranasinghe 56
Vinuja Ranpul b N. Fernando 11
Sanoj Dharshika not out 59
Savindu Peiris c T. Perera b Jayawickrama 0
Devaka Peiris not out 40
Extras (lb6, nb2, w2) 10
Total (7 wickets declared: 79 overs) 227
Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-1, 3-48, 4-76, 5-105, 6-132, 7-133
Bowling: Tashik Perera 12-2-33-2, Janishka Perera 5-1-14-0, Shanel Fernando 2-2-0-0, Vinuja Ranasinghe 12-4-35-1, Praveen Jayawickrama 27-5-62-2, Praveen Cooray 9-2-27-1, Tharusha Fernando 3-0-9-0, Nuwanidu Fernando 7-2-28-1, Gihan Senanayake 2-0-14-0
St. Sebastian’s 2nd innings
Shanel Fernando b Peiris 2
Nishitha Abilash lbw b Mendis 20
Nuwanidu Fernando b Nanayakkara 82
Malintha Peiris c Mendis b Nanayakkara 33
Tharusha Fernando b Dharshika 6
Praveen Cooray c Mendis b N. Fernando 4
Janishka Perera not out 3
Vinuja Ranasinghe not out 0
Extras (lb2) 2
Total (6 wickets: 68.5 overs) 152
Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-69, 3-96, 4-124, 5-143, 6-151
Bowling: Savindu Peiris 27-8-62-1, Vishwa Chathuranga 5.5-2-11-0, Kaumal Nanayakkara 24-7-49-2, Sandun Fernando 1-1-0-0, Suwath Mendis 4-1-11-1, Naduka Fernando 3-1-3-1, Avindu Fernando 3-0-12-0, Sanoj Dharshika 1-0-2-1.