Poorna bowls Royal into strong position

Thushan Jayasuriya

Royal College Colombo were in a strong position at the end of first day's play in their under 19 cricket match against Isipatana College Colombo which commenced at Reid Avenue yesterday.

Isipatana, taking the first lease of the wicket, scored 167 runs in 64.4 overs . Diluka Rajapaksa scored 43 runs , while Kelum Bastians (36) and Deshan Jayakumar (25) also supported their school with the bat. Spinner Poorna Aluthge was the most impressive among the bowlers with four for 49.

In reply, Royal were in a commanding position with 87 runs for two wickets in 33 overs. A fine 40-run partnership between Hashen Ramanayake (35 not out) and Shaminda Dias (23 not out) for the third wicket helped Royal to get into a strong position.

The match will resume today at 9.30 PM

Isipatana : 167 in 64.4 overs ( Diluka Rajapaksa 43, Kelum Bastians 36, Deshan Jayakumar 25, Matheesha Ranaweera 21, Poorna Aluthge 4/49, Harith Samarasinghe 2/31, Devin Pathmanadan 2/40)

Royal : 87 for 2 in 33 overs ( Hashen Ramanayake 35 n.o., Shaminda Dias 23 n.o., Isuru Gunatilleke 19)