Jaffna Central College recorded a win at the 116th Battle of the North three-day cricket encounter played between Jaffna Central college and St. John’s college Jaffna, yesterday (12) at Jaffna Central grounds. 

St. John’s captain Kamalapalan Sabesan asked Jaffna Central to bat first after winning the toss. Jaffna Central posted a decent total of 279 for the first innings. Opening batsman Jegatheeswaran Vithusan gave a strong start with his 71, Number three batsman Matheeswaran Sajayan contributed with 42 runs. At a stage where Jaffna central were 175  for the loss of seven wickets, Nishanthan Ajay scored 74 runs with the strike rate of 97 runs helped Jaffna Central to get to a strong total of 279.  Notably with the 27 runs contributed by Sutharsan Anushanth Jaffna Central collected 66 runs for ninth wicket, this partnership hurt the visitors. Spinner Yogathas Vithusan captured four wickets for 70 runs, fast bowlers Anton Abishek got three wickets for 67 runs and Kirupananthan Kajakarnan captured three wickets for 38 runs. 

St. John’s were struggling with 43 for the loss of three wickets by the end of day one. Opening batsman Nesakumar Ebenezer Jezial and Kamalapalan Sabesan shared 81 runs for the fourth wicket. Central captain Ananthan Kajan gave the breakthrough by removing Ebenezer for 43 runs, when the team total was at 109 runs. Central got the wicket of Greame Smith and Kamalapalan Sabesan 43 without giving any runs. Johnian tail only collected 18 runs. St. John’s were bundled for 127 runs in the first innings. 

Left arm fast bowler Ranjithkumar Newton led the bowling attack by capturing four wickets for 27 runs, while Ananthan Kajan got three wickets for eight runs, and Sutharsan Anusanth got two wickets for 62 runs. 

St. John’s were asked to follow on as Jaffna central had the lead of 152 runs for first innings. Jaffna central continued to pressure St. John's leg spinner Paruthi stepped up for the second innings and captured four for 50 runs while Ranjithkumar Newton captured three wickets for 41 runs on day two. St. John’s were struggling with 137 runs for loss of seven wickets when day two was called off. 

Jaffna central were in an attempt for an innings victory as they had a lead of 15 runs and only needed three wickets. St. John’s managed to avoid an innings loss with a 37-run contribution from Arulseelan Kavishan. Newton and Paruthi ended up with 5-for’s. 

St. John’s managed to score 160 runs and set the target of nine runs. Jaffna central won the match by nine wickets in 3.1 overs and regained the trophy from St. John’s.  

Ranjithkumar Newton who won the man of the match award is in hope of playing for Sri Lanka junior team and he has already made debut for the Moors SC in major league under 23 tournament. 

Score summary 

Jaffna Central College

First Innings 279/10 66.2 overs 

Nishanthan Ajay 74, Jegatheeswaran Vithusan 71, Matheeswaran Sansajan 42; Yogathas Vithusan 4/70, Kirupananthan Kajakarnan 3/38, Anton Abishek 3/67 

St. John’s College, Jaffna 

First Innings 127/10 51.2 overs 

Nesakumar Ebenezer Jezial 43, Kamalapalan Sabesan 34; Ranjithkumar Newton 4/24 ,Ananthan Kajan 3/8, Sutharsan Anusanth 2/62 

St. John’s College, Jaffna 

Second Innings 160/10 53.2 overs (Follow On)

Arulseelan Kavishan 37, Kamalapalan Jananthan 26, Ranjithkumar Newton 5/53 

Vikneswaran Paruthi 5/58 

Jaffna Central College

Second Innings 9/1 3.1 overs 

Awards 

Best Batsman – Nishanthan Ajay (Jaffna Central) 

Best Bowler – Vikneswaran Paruthi (Jaffna Central)

Best Fielder – Mahenthiran Kinthusan (St. John’s)

Best Wicket Keeper – Daniel Paul Paramanathan (Jaffna Central)

Best Allrounder – Sutharsan Anushanth (Jaffna Central)

Player of the Match – Ranjithkumar Newton (Jaffna Central)