Battle of the Blues: Trinity in strong position

By Shamseer Jaleel 

The 101st Battle of the Blues encounter between Trinity College and St. Antony’s College turned in favour of the home team at the end of day 1 at the Asgiriya Cricket Stadium in Kandy yesterday. 

The highlight of the day was a fine half century (72) by Trinity skipper and national youth cricketer, Hasitha Boyagoda and fine seam bowling by another national youth player, Thisuru Dilshan who took 4 for 30 rattled the Antonians to a low 115. In reply Trinity were strongly placed at 150 for 5 at stumps day 1. 

Trinity won the toss and put the visitors into bat on a spinning wicket where life was tough for many top Antonian batsmen. They lost wickets regularly with no one being able to make a half century. Abzar (29) and Vijayakumara (32) got into runs but lost their way for risky shots going for quick runs. 

The Trinitian bowling attack was led by national youth cricketer Thisuru Dilshan who missed many matches due to national duty. He was unplayable, taking 4 wickets while spinner Ruvin Peiris took 3 of them for the Lions. 

Trinity in their turn had a worst possible start losing 2 wickets for 2 runs, but recovered well with Boyagoda (72) and Jeff Weerasinghe (37) putting on 93 runs for the third wicket. Boyagoda knock was elegant and he took complete control over the Antonian bowlers who went to early sleep. His innings of character consisting of 8 boundaries and two sixes while his partner Jeff too was in fine form stroking 6 boundaries in his breezy knock.

Chief scores: St. Anthony’s first innings 115 all out in 37.2 overs: Mohamed Abzar 29 and Navodya Vijaykumar 32. Rashmika Dilshan 4 for 30, Ruvin Peiris 3 for 31.

Trinity College first innings 150 for 5 in 39 overs: Hasitha Boyagoda 72, Jeff Weerasinghe 37, Ashan Lokuketiya 21 not out, Trevon Percival 14 not out. Nimnaka Jayathilake 2 for 37.