Under 17 Cricket: Chenul steers Vidyartha to thrilling win

by  M. Shamil Amit   

A five wicket haul by left arm spinner Chenul Hansaja who was supported by right arm pacie Anuhas Ranaweera paved the way for Vidyartha College Kandy to record a thrilling two run win over fancied Ananda in the quarter final encounter of the Under 17 Division One limited over tournament played at St. Peter’s ground in Bambalapitiya.   
Vidyartha taking first lease of the wicket was bowled out for a low score of 124 runs but they succeeded to defend it thanks to Hansaja and Ranaweera despite a top knock of 62 coming from Ananda skipper Kithma Vidanapathirana as the duo combined to bowl their opponents for 122 to advance to the semi final.   
Royal Colombo too booked the berth to the semi final with a comfortable six wicket win over St. Benedict’s in another quarter final encounter played at Campbell Place.   
Sehadu Sooriyaarachchi laid the foundation for the win when he cracked 79 in 119 balls which included eight boundaries and a six and shared two valuable partnerships first an opening wicket stand of 111 runs with Hirun Matheesha and the other of 42 runs for the second wicket with Rehan Peiris which helped Royal chasing 179 runs for victory to reach the target in the 48th over. 

Scores
Quarter Finals:
At Bambalapitiya - Vidyartha won by two runs 
Vidyartha 124 in 42.3 overs (Oshada Jayaratne 39, Anuhas Ranaweera 26: Danindu Sellaperuma 4/20, Rashan Dilaksha 3/8, Kithma Vidanapathirana 2:24)   
Ananda 122 in 24.4 overs (Kithma Vidanapathirana 62: Chenul Hansaja 5/32, Anuhas Ranaweera 3/27)   
At Campbell Place - Royal won by six wickets 
St. Benedict’s 178 for 7 in 50 overs (Manikya Deshapriya 43, Akein Perera 23, Tehan Bitar 51 n.o.: Thevindu Wewelwala 2/41)   
Royal Colombo 179 for 4 in 48 overs (Sehadu Sooriyaarachchi 79, Hirun Matheesha 38, Rehan Peiris 24: Mihila Ravishka 2/27