Colombo beat Sabaragamuwa in final

Colombo University cricket team led by Ruvin Seneviratne emerged champions of the 2024 Sri Lanka University Cricket Championship, defeating Sabaragamuwa University by 4 wickets in the final held on recently at the University Grounds in Moratuwa.

After electing to bat first, the Sabaragamuwa University team managed to score 184 for 9 in their 50 overs. Wicket keeper-batter Thilan Pradeeptha was their top scorer, contributing 41 off 71 balls with 6 boundaries. At 104 for 7 in 34.1 overs, valuable lower-order contributions from Sisitha Madanayake (26 off 41), Kavindu Pramod (35 off 46), and Indika Udana (15* off 31) helped the team reach a respectable total. Pramod and Udana shared a 41-run partnership for the 9th wicket, which was the highest stand of the innings. On the bowling front, Thewin Amarasinghe was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 for 27 in his 10-over spell, which included a maiden. Skipper Ruvin Senevirathne, Himsara Randeni, and Devindu Kekirideniya also picked up two wickets each.

In response, Colombo University chased down the target with 3 wickets and 11 balls to spare. Thewin Amarasinghe, who opened the batting, set the tone for the title win by scoring 66 runs off just 75 balls, hitting 7 fours and a six. Himsara Randeni batted patiently and nearly took the team to victory, falling for 42 with only 3 runs needed.

Anishka De Zoysa hit the winning runs with a four off the first ball of the penultimate over, sealing Colombo University’s undefeated championship title in the 2024 Sri Lanka University Cricket tournament.

Kavindu Pramod and Sisitha Madanayake each took two wickets for Sabaragamuwa University.

Meanwhile Sri Jayawardenapura University recorded thrilling one run win over Moratuwa University to finish third place of the tournament.

Thilina Pradeepta of Sabaragamuwa University was the highest scorer of the tournament. He became the first in this list by scoring 201 runs in 5 innings. His innings included a 62 off 53 balls against Southeastern University.

Next in this list is Devadas Sheropan of Jaffna University. He claimed this seat by scoring 200 runs in 4 innings of the tournament with 88 runs scored in 71 balls against Vanni University and 84 runs scored not out in 30 balls against Gampaha Wickramarachchi University.

The highest wicket takers in the tournament were Vasanthan Jatushan of and Ruvin Seneviratne both from Colombo University. They both took 15 wickets each and shared this seat equally.

Among these, Wasanthan Jatushan showed his skills by taking 5 wickets for 10 runs against Peradeniya University and 5 wickets for 15 runs against Southeastern University.

Ruvin Seneviratne’s best bowling performance was the 5 wickets he took for 13 runs against Southeastern University.

However, Sri Jayewardenepura University’s Chanaka Rajapaksa holds the honor of recording the best bowling in an innings of the tournament. He took 6 for 32 runs against Moratuwa University team

Chief scores (Final)

Sabaragamuwa University – 184/9 (50) Thilan Pradeeptha 41, Kavindu Pramod 35, Sisitha Madanayake 26, Thewin Amarasinghe 2/27, Ruvin Senevirathne 2/36, Himsara Randeni 2/38, Devindu Kekirideniya 2/43

Colombo University – 187/7 (48.1) Thewin Amarasinghe 66, Himsara Randeni 42, Vasanthan Jathushan 25, Kavindu Pramod 2/24, Sisitha Madanayake 2/39

Source:Daily News