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| Sunday, 02 March 2003 |
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Trinity and St. Anthony's long for a decision in 87th 'Battle of the Blues' by S. M. JIFFREY ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Correspondent Both teams will strive hard to bring about a decision in the 87th hill capital's 'Battle of the Blues' when the unbeaten Trinity College, clash with equal strong St. Anthony's College at Katugastota next Friday and Saturday March 7th and 8th. This series have been dominated by the Trinitians upto 1951 in which they won under former Eustace Pulach. But thereafter the Antonians have held sway in the series and between 1952 and 2002 - nearly 50 years the Lions have been able to win just one match in 1986 under Thushara Weerasuriya. The Antonians have won in 1954, 1962, 1968, 1972, 1981, 1991 and 1992. The tally in the series stands at 22 wins by Trinity and 11 by St. Anthony's while the rest have been drawn. In 1955 and 1956 this encounter was not played. Trinity led by third year coloursman Clifford Fernando has played 11 matches upto the time of writing winning 3 on first innings, losing 5 on first innings and the rest have ended in no decisions. Despite fielding an inexperienced side the Trinitians have acquitted themselves well. Their new coach H. M. Muthalip has done a good job in moulding the side into a fighting outfit. Skipper clifford Fernando has scored over 400 runs while vice captain Chamira Punchihewa has been outstanding behind the stumps accounting for 30 victims and also scoring well. But the Trinitians should be pleased with the form of left hand opening bat Ishan Ratnayake who is in cracking form at present scoring a double century against Kingswood College - 211 which is the highest individual score by a Trinitian at school cricket and the first Trinitian to score over 200 runs. He has scored 545 runs taking off another hundred off the Sebastianite attack. The others who could muster runs are Hasantha Mendis, 13 year old Sachith Pathirana (who has been the find of the season), Avanka Peiris, Madhuranga Munaweera, Sisitha Jayasinghe, Asiri Udumulla and Mohammed Muneer. Hasantha Mendis will open the pace attack with Madhuranga Munaweera with support Mohammed Muneer, Avanka Peiris, and Clifford Fernando. The spin attack will be handled by Asiri Udumulla, Charith Dumbarage, (off spin) Sachith Pathirana (left-arm spin), Asiri Ariyaratne (leg spin). Antonians led by Nipuna Ratnayake have gone through a session of mixed fortunes. They have played upto the time of writing 14 matches, won 6 on first innings, lost 5 on first innings in addition losing one outright to Royal College by 7 wickets. They have also figured in 'No decisions' in two matches Nipuna Ratnayake is a stylist left-handed opening bat who has scored heavily during the season. Deputy skipper Tyronne de Silva has in cracking form this season scoring 920 runs with 2 half centuries and 5 fifties. He may probably reach 1000 runs before the end of the season with two matches to go. Others who should the total are Mohammed Rislan who has scored 890 runs 3 centuries and 5 half centuries and he too is heading towards the 1000 run mark Ashan Ariyaratne, Sajith Pinnaduwa, Priyantha Ekanayake, Priyan Withanage, Mohamed Ruzly Mohammed Shakeel, Mohammed Rikas, Dhanushka Bandaranayake, Kasun Madiwela. Tyronne Fernando will spearhead the attack with Priyantha Ekanayake with additional pace coming from Dhanushka Bandaranayake and Mohammed Rikas. Off spinner Ashan Ariyaratne has been the leading spinner with 40 wickets and others capable spinners are Sajith Pinnaduwa (leg spin), Priyan Withanage (off spin) Neville Edirisuriya (leg spin), Mohammed Shakeel (off spin) and Chamara Perera (left arm spin), Mohammed Rizland will keep wickets. Former Air Force,Central Prince and Antonian Cricketer Gamini Debahapuwa has done a fine job as the coach of the side. Trinity College: (from) Clifford Fernando (Captain), Chamira Punchihewa (Vice Captain), Hasantha Mendis, Avanka Peiris, Sisitha Jayasinghe, Sachith Pathirana, Madhuranga Munaweera, Ishan Ratnayake, Mohammed Muneer, Asiri Udumulla, Charith Dumbarange, Asiri Ariyaratne, Sachithra Rajakaruna, Indika Ponnamperuma, Shevan Wickremasinghe, Madhusha Fernando, Dhammika Dissanayake, Dimithri Amaranayake, Manuel Kitnan (Coach H. M. Muthalip, NIC Major B. M. Wickremasooriya). St. Anthony's College: (from) Nipuna Ratnayake (Captain), Tyronne de Silva (Vice Captain), Ashan Ariyaratne, Priyantha Ekanayake, Sajith Pinnaduwa, Rizlan, Mohammed Rumly, Mohammed Rikaaz, Priyan Withanage, Dhanushka Bandaranayake, Mohammed Shakeel, Sameera Weerabahu, Kasun Madiwela, Jude Fernando, Chamara Perera, Neville Edirisuriya, Amal Ranasinghe, Prasanna Illangakoon, Chamara Wickremapala, Prasad Wickremapala, Harshana Meddagoda (Gamini Debahapuwa - MIC B. A. Udugama) |
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