Antonians pile up 259 for 9

S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen Kandy Sports Correspondent

St. Anthony’s College made 259 for 9 declared but St. Thomas’ College have hit back by scoring 73 for no loss on the first day of their inter-school cricket match which began at Katugastota yesterday. The match will be continued today at 9.30 a.m.

The Antonians taking first lease of the wicket were off to their best start this season with the openers Hiran Wickremasekera 51 (7 fours, 59 balls) and Dulash Kumarasinghe 38 (4 fours, 84 balls) putting on 86 before they were separated. A 65 run stand for the fifth wicket between Adil Reyal 50 (69 balls, 4 fours, 2 sixes) and skipper Sahan Palihakkara (30) took the score to 215.

The Antonian’s total did not make much progress after that against the off spin of Fahim Saleem 3 for 43 and left arm spin of Chamal Fonseka 3 for 68 before the closure was applied at 259 for 9.

The Thomians though slow made a spirited reply in making 73 for no loss in 32 overs. The match appear to be heading to a draw as only nine wickets fell on the first day.

St. Anthony’s College 259 for 9 wkts decl. 71 overs 330 mts (Hiran Wickremasekera 51, Dulash Kumarasinghe 38, Malindu Perera 41, Adil Reyal 50, Sahan Palihakkara 30, Kasun Ekanayake 20, Chamal Fonseka 3 for 68, Fahim Saleem 3 for 43.

St. Thomas’ College 73 for no loss in 32 overs (F. Saleem 32 not out, T. Fernando 30 not out).