Trinity home for tea in 2nd  Mahela-Sanga Challenge Trophy

By Shamseer Jaleel

Trinity College made it two in a row when they beat Nalanda College by an innings and two runs in their second Mahela-Sanga Challenge Trophy Under-19 cricket encounter, which concluded at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy yesterday. 

The game was over even before tea break on day 2, with the Trinity bowlers taking the balance nine Nalanda wickets in 60-plus overs.

Nalanda, who were shot out for 82 in their initial innings, made a valiant effort but could only manage slightly better with 130 in the second innings. On day 1, 21 wickets fell in dramatic fashion and the balance nine Nalanda wickets took slightly less than two sessions for the Trinity bowlers, who expertly combined seam and spin bowling. 

Only two Nalanda batsmen were able to get on top of the Trinity bowlers, with Ranidu (36) and Mahima (37) making some useful contributions for the Colombo school. 

Trinity Skipper and fast bowler Ruvin Peiris was unplayable as he took seven wickets in the match with ample support coming in the way of spin bowling from Abishik Anandakumar, who took eight wickets and produced a breezy knock of 60 runs well supported by Demantha Bandara, who scored 49 after coming in at the end of the batting order. Uvindu Wimaladharma, the other Trinity spinner, also chipped in with three wickets in the latter innings. Trinity, who beat Nalanda in the first Mahela-Sanga Challenge Trophy in 2019, leads the series 2-0.

Nalanda 82 and 130 in 62.4 overs

Ranidu Silva 36, Mahima Weerakoon 37, Moksha Sankalpa 24

Abishiek Anandakumar 5 for 34, Uvindu Wimaladharma 3 for 27, Ruvin Peiris 2 for 42

Trinity 214 in 57 overs

Abishek Anandakumar 60, Deemantha Bandara 49, Dinitha Siriwardena 20

Raveen de Silva 4 for 101, Chamodya Rajapaksha 3 for 46