Johnians send Central packing to claim 38th big match win

St. John’s College Jaffna produced a sound show, especially by their bowlers in the second innings to thump and thrash their traditional rivals, Jaffna Central College by 99 runs at the end of the 115 Battle of the North at the Central ground in Jaffna.

Yesterday being the third and the final day, Centralites playing in their school grounds, were set 267 to regain the title. But since the start itself, they were never up to the task when they were in tatters at four for 18.

Jeyachandran Ashnath, in his big match winning spell, was the wrecker in-chief claiming for half a dozen of victims in the second innings. He finished with a match bag of 10 wickets.

In what was a toothless response to the target, Ananthan Kajan of Central, was the lone fighter with a respectable 53, also having starred in a 90-run stand.

However, apart from him, it was only a procession of a pathetic batting. Kamalapalan Sabesan, adjudged as the best batter from St. Johns for his 105, was instrumental in the title holders setting a steep task to be chased inside yesterday.

Losers Central had only their captain, Sritharan Sarankan, hitting a 41 in the first essay, because of whom his team total reached a paltry 125, though conceding a lead 42. St. John's retained the title, regained in 2020, as the encounter was halted due to the pandemic last year.