SLC’s novel Under-23 concept a great success
The novel Under-23 tournament concept mooted by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been a tremendous boost for the country’s youth cricket at the grassroots level. The near one month tournament that concluded last Tuesday with Central Province emerging champions saw ten teams namely Central Province, Western Province North, Western Province South, Western Province Central, Northern Province, Eastern Province, North Western Province, and Uva Province in the fray. The success of the concept was underscored by the involvement of all district and provincial coaches and selectors throughout the tournament.
The bottom line of the first of its kind take off that was the brain child of SLC President, Thilanga Sumathipala, was the prominence given to youth cricket with hitherto untapped latent talent coming to the fore. The concept was driven by SLC Vice President overseeing domestic cricket, K. Mathivanan.
As one of the junior selectors, Ranjan Paranavithana pointed out the concept had unearthed rural talent in a 20-year old youngster, who is a left arm spinner from the Batticaloa. “Twenty-year old Kamalanath Thameshan representing Eastern Province, had a match bag of 10 wickets including 6 for 82 versus Western Province,” Paranavithana said. Overly, it the tournament concept was a big shot in the arm for outstation talent,” he added. Another plus point was that players were given from Western Province which has three teams in North, South and Central, and from Southern Province to the other six provinces so as to strengthen those teams. The tournament will be an annual feature.
The tournament Best Batsman was Dinesh Themodya of North Central Province, Best Bowler Tharindu Rathnayake of North Western Province, Player of the Tournament Dilanka Sandakan of Western Province South , and Man of the Final Nimesh Gunasingha of Central Province.
The final proper saw Central Province emerge champions by virtue of a first innings win over Western Province (North) who had an hitherto unbeaten record, at CCC on Tuesday. Western Province (North) won the toss and elected to field. Central Province bowled out 293 runs in 76 overs. Nimesha Gunasinghe scored 80 runs in 137 balls with 9 boundaries and a six and Nuwanindu Fernando scored 76 runs in 78 balls with 5 boundaries and 5 sixes. Lahiru Samarakoon (38), Lakshan Fernando (35) and Ravin Sayer (32) were built their inning. Binura Fernando took 4 wickets for 39 runs and Duvindu Thilakarathne took 4 wickets for 98 runs.
In reply to Central Province’s 293, Western Province (North) made176 runs in 45.2 overs. Sammu Ashan top scored with33 and Sahan Arachchige made 32. Charana Nanayakkara scored 32 runs and skpper Binura Fernando scored 24 runs. Mohommed Shiraz claimed 4 wickets for 45 runs and Charith Sudharaka 2 for 18.
Following on, Western Province (North) was 208 for 4 in 51.2 overs at stumps.
Salinda Ushan made 87 off 141 balls inclusive of 5 boundaries and a six. Sammu Ashan scored 60 off 107 balls spanning 5 boundaries. Sammu Ashan made 60.
Central Province – First inning
Thanuka Dabare c. Lakshina b. B. Fernando 00 (5)
Ron Chandraguptha b. B. Fernando 00 (06)
Nimesha Gunasinghe b. D. Thilakarathne 80 (137)
Wanindu Hasaranga b. N. Thushara 14 (22)
Nuwainindu Fernando b. B. Fernando 76 (78)
Lakshan Fernando c. S. Arachchige b. B. Fernando 35 (62)
Ravin Sayer c. S. Ashan b. D. Thilakarathne 32 (59)
Lahiru Samarakoon lbw. B. C. Nanayakkara 38 (60)
Charith Sudharaka b. D. Thilakarathne 08 (16)
Mohommed Shiraz not out 07 (08)
Pramodya Abeykoon b. D. Thilakarathne 00 (03)
Extras (3 lb) 03
Total for 10 wickets in 76 overs 293
F.O.W.: 1-0, 2-3, 3-30, 4-133, 5-197, 6- 215, 7-271, 8-286, 9-293, 10-293
Bowling
- Fernando 19-7-39-4, C. Nanayakkara 7-1-19-1, N. Thushara 12-0-64-0, D. Thilakarathne 28-0-98-4, N. Peiris 9-0-59-0, S. Ashan 1-0-11-0
Western Province (North) – First inning
Salinda Ushan c. Dabare b.P. Abeysinghe 14 (36)
Kaveen Bandara lbw b. M, Shiraz 06 (10)
Pethum Nisshanka b. L. Samarakoon 16 (26)
Sammu Ashan c. L. Samarakoon b. C. Sudharaka 33 (37)
Sahan Arachchige lbw b. L. Fernando 32 (61)
Lakshina Rodigo ct. L. Fernando b.W. Hasaranga 06 (08)
Charana Nanayakkara b. M. Shiraz 32 (45)
Binura Fernando b. M. Shiraz 24 (38)
Nishan Peiris lbw b. M. Shiraz 00 (01)
Duvindu Thilakarathne ct. L. Fernando b. C. Sudharaka 00 (10)
Nuwan Thushara not out 00 (01)
Extras (5b, 1lb, 6w, 1nb) 13
Total (all out in 45.2 overs) 176
F.O.W.: 1-7, 2-35, 3-51, 4-95, 5-104, 6-124, 7-166, 8-166, 9-172, 10-176
Bowling
- Shiraz 12-1-45-4, P. Abeykoon 8-1-35-1, L. Samarakoon 4-0-18-1, C. Sudharaka 9.2-2-18-2, W. Hasaranga 7-1-34-1, L. Fernando 5-1-20-1
Western Province (North) – Second inning
Kaveen Bandara lbw b. P. Abeysinghe 16 (17)
Salinda Ushan c. R. Chandraguptha b. W. Hasaranga 87 (141)
Pethum Nisshanka lbw. R. Sayer 25 (35)
Sammu Ashan b. W. Hasaranga 60 (107)
Sahan Arachchigenot out 07 (07)
Extras (8b, 3lb, 1w, 1nb) 13
Total (for 4 wickets in 51.2 overs) 208
Did Not Bat: Lakshina Rodigo, Charana Nanayakkara, Binura Fernando, Nishan Peiris, Duvindu Thilakarathne, Nuwan Thushara
F.O.W.: 1-16, 2-71, 3-199, 4-208
Bowling
- Shiraz 3-0-20-0, P. Abeykoon 3-0-14-1, L. Samarakoon 7-0-29-0, R. Sayer 12-0-51-1, C. Sudharaka 8-1-15-0, W. Hasaranga 14.2-0-42-2, L. Fernando 4-1-26-0
By Srian Obeysekere
-The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Sri Lanka Cricket-
