Sadeesh cracks ton, match fizzles out to end in draw

By M. Shamil Amit

An unbeaten ton by opener Sadeesh Jayawardena was the highlight of the second day’s play of the 88th Battle of the Saints between traditional rivals St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College that fizzled out to a draw at the P Sara Stadium yesterday.

St. Joseph’s, set a target of 321 runs for victory helped by Jayawardena’s unbeaten knock of 103, that included 11 boundaries, ended the day with a score of 163 for 5.

The morning session saw St. Peter’s resuming from their overnight score of 35 for 2 making 232 for 7 declared, coming on the back of half tons by Abilash Wellalage, who made 61 with two boundaries and Lahiru Dawatage making 58.

The pair associated in a stand of 94 runs for the fourth wicket which was followed by a 43-run stand for the seventh wicket between skipper Wanuja Sahan and Dawatage.

At P Sara Stadium

St. Peter’s: 251 for 8 (Shenal Boteju 81, Shanshay Gunatileke 47, Nimuthu Gunawardena 36, Danal Hemananda 55 n.o.: Shevon Daniel 3 for 67, Dunith Wellalage 3 for 92) and (35/2 overnight) 232 for 7 declared (Abilash Wellalage 61, Lahiru Dawatage 53, Wanuja Sahan 28, Vishen Halambage 22, Danal Hemananda 21 n.o., Niman Umesh 17 n.o.: Shevon Daniel 5 for 80)

St. Joseph’s: 163 (Shevon Daniel 71, Dunith Wellalage 36, Sadeesh Jayawardena 15: Wanuja Sahan 4 for 63, Shennon Rodrigo 3 for 26) and 163 for 5 (Sadeesh Jayawardena 103 n.o., Hiran Jayasundara 19 n.o.)