Lumbini turn tables on Ananda to reach first final in two decades
Lumbini defied odds to reach their first Limited Overs Cricket final in more than two decades as bowlers staged a dramatic fight back to defend a total of 188 runs against Ananda in the Under 19 Division I Teir ‘B’ cricket semi-final played at Campbell Place on Friday.
Left-arm spinner Ushan Sathsara led the way taking three wickets and off-spinners, skipper Sahan Kaushalya and Dinitha Prabanka took two wickets each to restrict Ananda to 140 runs.
After late order collapsed and bowled out for 188 runs, it looked as if Lumbini had posted a below par total but their new ball bowlers Pasindu Maheesha and Dinitha Prabhanka turned the game on its head taking the first two wickets for no runs.
From then on it was a struggle for survival. Ananda lost their first three wickets for 18 runs. A fourth wicket stand of 58 runs followed between Kithma Vidanapathirana and Kenul de Soysa. Once the latter was run out for 23 runs it was a battle for survival. Kithma top scored with 50 runs and number nine bat Ruvishan Perera clobbered an unbeaten 30 in 16 balls but Ananda were bowled out in the 36th over paving the way for the underdogs to reach their first Under 19 Limited Overs Tournament final since the 1999/2000 season.
In contrast, when Lumbini were put to bat, their top order did well. Openers Nabeel Rajudeen and Gihan Lakshitha added 67 runs for the first wicket. Rajudeen, their top scorer of the tournament, stroked six fours and two sixes in a knock of 47 runs (48 balls). Lakshitha made 32 (3x4s, 1x6s).
They were strongly placed at one stage with the scoreboard reading 140 for three wickets. That was when Isuru Ayesh sparked a dramatic collapse. He took four wickets including back to back wickets in the 40th over. Lumbini were bowled out with the last seven wickets adding only 48 runs to the total.
It is the first final for Lumbini since the team captained by Sandun Senanayake emerged as joint champions with Maris Stella during the 1999/2000 season. They will meet the winners of the match between Thurstan and St. Peter’s in the final.
Scores:
Lumbini 188 all out in 49.4 overs (Nabeel Rajudeen 47, Gihan Lakshitha 32, Sahan Kaushalya 24, Dinitha Prabhanka 21; Isuru Ayesh 4/32, Ayesh Shashimal 2/37)
Ananda 140 all out in 35.3 overs (Kithma Vidanapathirana 50, Kenul De Soysa 23, Ruvishan Perera 30 n.o.; Ushan Sathsara 3/14, Sahan Kaushalya 2/14, Dinitha Prbhanka 2/25)
