Mahith Perera produced his best batting performance for the current season as he set up a new mark with the highest individual score in the historic Mahadevan Sathasivam Under-19 cricket series encounter at Mount Lavinia. The Vice-Captain of S. Thomas’ College, rose to the big occasion by stroking a magnificent 152 not out in the first innings of their traditional Inter-School fixture against Wesley College, which ended in a draw.
Even then, the match turned out to be a memorable outing for Mahith Manavidu Perera, who reached new heights by overcoming the previous highest individual score of 142 scored by Wesleyite Sahil Dias in the 2021 fixture. The elegant right-hander, of course came into this game at the backdrop of some uncertainty and had struggled for runs in the previous matches having compiled just a solitary half century. But the game against Wesley was the perfect setting for Mahith to regain his form as he launched a superb counterattack while stroking 18 boundaries
and hoisting two sixes in one of the finest innings played at Mount Lavinia.. In fact, Mahith walked into the crease at a vital stage of the innings as the Thomians had run into early trouble losing four top-order batters for just 54 runs after they had been put into bat.
He joined wicket-keeper batsman Senesh Hettiarachchi in the middle and the pair pulled the home side from further disaster by adding 141 runs for the fifth wicket while exhibiting superb concentration and determination.
Earlier, Mahith had missed his first century this season when he was dismissed for 75 runs in the match against Richmond College during the previous weekend at the same venue.
But this time he was more determined to reach his goal and was not prepared to simply throw his wicket away as he took the Wesley bowlers apart with a mixture of caution and aggression.
The more he occupied the crease the more confident he was as Mahith went from 100 to 150 in almost even time with the help of number eight batsman Charuka Peiris, with the pair adding 82 runs for the unfinished seventh wicket.
This outstanding innings was another feather in the cap for Mahith, who has turned out to be a top all-round sportsman for S. Thomas’ having already proved his potential in three other sports - rugby, athletics and football.
Mahith, of course, started his career as a bowling all-rounder while representing the school at Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 Tournament matches.
The right-arm off-spinner has transformed his career with some significant batting performances in the recent past and may well turn out to be a key batsman when he takes up the leadership role during next season.
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