The 1st XI Cricket Team of S.Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia took on D.S.Senanyake College on the 23rd of September in the 1st XI Cricket Team’s limited overs campaign. D.S.Senayake College won the toss and decided to bowl first on a dry pitch at the Big Club Grounds.
The Thomians made a couple of changes to their playing XI for this match as left-hand top order batsman Avinash Fernando replaced injured Senadhi Bulankulame and Rajindu Tilakaratne made his way into the team by replacing Dhiren De Silva.
The Thomian top-order saw a significant change after Bulankulame’s injury as captain Romesh Mendis joined Thisen Eheliyagoda to open the Thomian’s account. Eheliyagoda did not last long as he was caught in the slips thanks to some magnificent bowling by Manura Peiris. Fresher Avinash Fernando walked in to bat and built a strong partnership of 45 runs with his captain. This partnership, unfortunately, ended when Mendis was dismissed on 39 by some fine bowling by Poorna Sulakshana and superb fielding by Randisha Bandaranayke. Fernando followed soon after scoring 24 runs as Akhida Weerasuriya dismissed him. Dineth Goonewardena came in to bat and played a magnificent inning alongside senior campaigner Mahith Perera. They were able to hunker down in the middle overs and build the Thomian innings as they had a 56-run partnership. Goonewardena was unfortunately dismissed on 39 by some miscommunication in the field as he found himself short of his crease. Senesh Hettiarrachi joined Mahith Perera and they restored the Thomian innings by putting up a 55-run partnership. Perera went on to get his fifty showcasing his brilliant form! However, Perera was dismissed on 63 by Poorna Sulakshana much to the delight of the Senanayakians. Hettiarrachi fell soon after for 24 but cameos from Akash Fernando and Kavidu Dias got the Thomians to 244/9.
The Thomian batsman had put in a good shift and it was up to the bowlers to show their appreciation to their teammates which they did incredibly well. The standout performers were Rajindu Tilakaratne who bagged four wickets and Charuka Peiris who bagged three wickets. All in all, the Thomians rattled the Senanayakians for 80 ending the match 2 hours before its scheduled closure.
Rajindu Tilakaratne became the man of the match for his prolific performance with the ball.
This win comes after a devastating loss against St.Anthony’s College, Katugasthota which showcases that Romesh Mendis has been guiding his men superbly in making sure losses don’t define them and that they are remaining vigilant and putting in the hard yards to maintain the stature of Thomian Cricket.
Match Result
STC – 244/9
DSSC – 80/10
STC won by 164 runs