True to history the match had all the tension and excitement to take spectators back half a century ago and yesterday was no different as St. Peter’s College cut down St. Joseph’s College in almost similar fashion to win their 50th one-day match, Sri Lanka’s oldest 50-over contest at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo yesterday.
Like they did 50 years ago under the charismatic captain Bernard Wijetunga, the Peterites went through many an anxious moment chasing down a 230 target that they reached when late order batter Nathan David struck to fours to bring up the win and then kept his finger on his lips in a gesture silencing the Joes.
Initially the Peterites were on a role cruising at 113 without losing a wicket thanks to an imposing start by openers Oween Sangado and Dilana Damsara and their dismissals in quick succession brought in the two most colourful batters in the side, Sri Lanka Under-19 players Rusanda Gamage and Vishen Helambage.Both batters blew it up unable to live up to their branding and panic hit the Peterites.
But thanks to a mature innings of 36 by middle order batsman Shennen Rodrigo the Peterites safety overcame the threat.But with Rodrigo’s dismissal the Peterites had some way to go before Nathan David staved off any more hiccups and guided his team through safe waters with two blows, a cut and pull to the boundary against paceman Maanasa Madubashana.
The reliable opener Damsara cracked nine fours and three sixes in laying the foundation.
