Vidyartha get 191

by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Correspondent

Vidyartha College did well to total 191 all out, but a run crawl by St. Sylvester’s College has effectively destroyed all chances of a decision in the 52nd ‘Battle of the Babes’ which began at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy on Friday.

Vidyartha College who won the toss and took first strike and a good partnership of 58 between fresher Nilusha Galapitige 50 (9 fours, 61 balls) and last year’s captain Sameera Abeyratne 36 (7 fours, 85 balls) helped them to build their innings in the early stage. Though there was no collapse but still there was no good partnership and Vidyartha’s innings ended at 191 off 58.2 overs. The Sylvestrians tried as many as nine bowlers and spinner and skipper Nuwan Nilantha was most successful capturing 4 for 49. New comer 16 year old Niluka Kandaderage took 2 for 11.

St. Sylvester’s in their turn at the wickets batted negatively though there were no terrors in Vidyartha’s attack. They just did not go for runs and were quite satisfied in patting the ball down.

They took as long as 30.4 overs to score 65 runs for two wickets. This will put paid to any chances of a decision in the match. The Sylvestrians won last year’s battle.