Under-19 Division One Semi-Final Richmond, St. Sebastian’s clash for final slot

By M. Shamil Amit 
Richmond College Galle and St Sebastian College Moratuwa will clash in the semi-final of the Under-19 inter-school Division One Tier ‘A’ two-day cricket tournament for one of the two final slots scheduled to be played today and tomorrow at the Ace Capital CC ground in Narahenpita.
Richmond, led by Sri Lanka youth player Malsha Tharupathi in the run-up to the semi-final, ended up as the top team in Group X and came out victorious against Nalanda in the quarter-final encounter, while St. Sebastian’s, led by Manuja Chanthuka, ended up as the second-best team in Group ‘Y’ and went on to overcome traditional rivals Prince of Wales in the quarter-final. The two sides have talented players in their ranks, with Richmond, apart from skipper Tharupathi, will bank on Sharon Abishek, Chehan Subasinghe, Thamindu Pradeeptha, Nikil Jayaweera, Kaveesha Induwara, and Shehan de Zoysa, to name a few. St. Sebastian’s, on the other hand, will depend on skipper Chanthuka, along with Vimath Dinsara, Ryan Dissanayake, Malintha Silva, Koshendra Fernando, Adish Almeida, Tharindu Dilanka, and Yashim Fernando, to deliver the goods. However, an interesting tussle is on the cards, and with the two sides having a good run this season, the Sebs will be coming into the game with confidence due to the fact that they came out victorious in all three formats against their traditional rivals Prince of Wales.

The Teams
Richmond: Malsha Tharupathi (Captain), Sharon Abishek, Thamindu Pradeeptha, Chehan Subasinghe, Malith de Silva, Seneth Sisan, Yuri Koththigoda, Sihath Ramanayaka, Kaveesha Induwara, Shehan de Zoysa, Nikil Jayaweera, Pubudu Mihiranga, Rasanga Thejan, Nethsara Akash, Punal Hansajith, Chamod Punsara, Sachindu Nimsara, Tenusha Nimsara, Bevin Jayawardena, Minaga Ariyadasa, Nuwan Jayasinghe (Master in Charge), Lakmal de Silva (Head Coach), Sidath Priyankara (Asst. Coach), Lahiru Maduwantha (Asst. Coach)
St. Sebastian’s: Manuja Chanthuka (Captain), Vimath Dinsara (Vice Captain), Malintha Silva, Koshendra Fernando, Yashin Fernando, Ryan Dissanayake, Shifan Fernando, Tharindu Dilanka, Lashen Fernando, Adish Almeida, Navod Fernando, Nirindu Silva, Ushen Silva, Janaka Silva, Sandinu Kandage, Akash Dissanayake, Dineth Mallavarachchi, Shennan de Silva, Dhanuka Fernando, Nadish Fernando, Kanishka Perera (Master in Charge), Sadaru Tharusha (Master in Charge), Bradman Ediriweera (Head Coach), Kasun Malinda (Asst. Coach), Kelum Perera (Coach)