Southern Province worthy champs
SLC U-19 PROVINCIAL ONE-DAY TOURNAMENT 2017
School cricket’s extravaganza – the Under-19 Provincial One-Day Tournament 2017 mooted by Sri Lanka Cricket culminated with Southern Province taking the cake. Southern Province was on course to make light of Western Province South’s 189 in 49.1 overs when bad weather interrupted play. At that stage Southern Province was well placed on 134 for 4 wickets in 34 overs, but with the bad weather creeping in, the umpires declared Southern Province winners by 26 runs on the Duckworth & Lewis system in the final played on Sunday at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The keen tussle expected did not materialize with Western Province South’s batsmen failing to produce the form that saw them amass a 300-plus total in their semi final match.
Southern Province’s 18-year old Richmondite left arm leg spinner Avindu Theekshana bamboozled Western Province South’s batsmen to claim 5 wickets for 41runs after Western Province South won the toss and batted first. Kamil Mishara batted stoutly for a top score of 68, but the others batsmen failed to capitalize on it with sizable scores. It however, deservedly earned Mishara the ‘Best Batsman’ award of the final. Welihinda was adjudged man of the final and Mishara best batsman of the final. Theekshana (Southern) was adjudged the best bowler in the final.
Southern Province’s run chase was sustained by Hansika Welihinda who stroked a fine unbeaten 58 to clinch the ‘Man of the Final’ award while Theekshana was adjudged the ‘Best Bowler’ in the final.
CHIEF SCORES:
Western Province South
189 (49.1)
Kamil Mishara 68,Kavindu Umayanga 38, Avindu Fernando 28 Avindu Theekshana 5/41, Thisara Dilshan 2/23, Dananjaya Lakshan 2/20
vs
Southern Province
139/4 (34)
Hansika Welihinda 58*, Thavisha Abishek 28, Inshaka Maduwinda 2/31 , Kamil Mishara 68,Kavindu Umayanga 38, Avindu Fernando 28 Avindu Theekshana 5/41, Thisara Dilshan 2/23, Dananjaya Lakshan 2/20
‘Man of the Final – Hansika Welihinda (Southern Province).
‘Best Batsman’- Kamil Mishara (Western Province South).
‘Best Bowler’ – Avindu Theekshana (Southern Province).
By Srian Obeyesekere
-The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Sri Lanka Cricket-
