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| Sunday, 20 February 2005 |
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42nd encounter on Feb. 25 and 26 at SSC grounds : Isipathana sets sights on victory over Thurstan by Ranjan Anandappa The 42nd annual cricket encounter between Thurstan and Isipathana will herald the begining of a series of traditional 'Big matches' when they meet on February 25 and 26 at the SSC grounds. In this series, Thurstan has won 5 to Isipathana's 4 with 31 drawn and one not been played. On paper, both teams are on even keel but this year's contest should be a stiff battle with Isipathana trying to square the number of wins. Isipathana has their nose slighty in front in the contest with their approach to the game. They have been playing positively which has paid rich dividends, helping them in four good wins against; President's College Rajagiriya, St. Peter's, St.Sebastian's and Dharmapala Pannipitiya. However, they lost to D.S.Senanayake and Ananda. The innings win over the Peterites and the impressive win over Sebastianites has given enough tonic for Isipathana to look forward for an impressive performance. On the other hand, Thurstan after 12 matches, has beaten only Maris Stella but has maintained an unbeaten record. Dilan Anuradha a third year player who bats one drop is the Isipathana captain while Gihan Dilruk is the vice-captain and Situka Gamage a fourth year player, will lead Thurstan. His deputy is promising batsman Charith Wickremaratne. Both teams comprise some quality allrounders. Thurstan will have Lahiru Gamage who is an under 19 poolist for the 2006 Youth World Cup. He has scored over 350 runs and taken over 30 wickets with best figures of 8 for 37 including a hat-trick against Maris Stella. The other two allrounders are Heshan Galagoda and Kanishka Elvitigala. Both teams will take the field in conventional fashion with two fast bowlers, a medium paceman and a leg spinner and an off-spinner. For Thurstan, there is Ranga Nirosh to bowl off-spin and Rishi Ukwatte to bowl left-arm leg-spin. Ukwatte has been among the wickets, taking 25 with best figures of 6 for 52 against St.Sylvester's. For Isipathana left-arm leg-spinner Chatushka Wickremaratne has been very promising, taking 43 wickets with a match-bag of 9 for 18 and was instrumental in their convincing win over the Peterites. Thurstan last won in 1992 under Mackenzie Perera and in 1999 Isipathana recorded their last win under the leadership of Krishantha Jayawardena. The highest individual score in the series is by Isipathana's Saman Nishantha (150 n.o) in 2002 when he bettered Thurstanite Kamal Mahendra's 146 n.o in 1990.. Left-arm medium-pacer Jayajeeva Karunaratne of Thurstan has the honour to hold the bowling record of the series when he took 7 for 28 in 1992. K. L. S. K. Sirisena (Isipathana) also took 7 for 79 in 1967. Teams Thurstan; (in batting order): Hasitha Perera, Charith Wickremaratne (V.Capt.), Situka Gamage (Captain), Charith Gayan, Lahiru Gamage, Buddhi Heshan, Shehan Perera, Heshan Galagoda, Kanishka Elvitigoda, Ranga Nirosh, Rishi Ukwatte. Isipathana (in batting order): Visudhi Kaluwitharana, Tharaka Waduge, Dilan Anurudha (Captain), Sachith Jayasinghe, Liyan de Silva, Isuru Vindana, Gayan Wijesinghe, Gihan Dilruk, (Vice-captain), Pubudu Viraj, Chatushka Wickremaratne, Sureen Dinendra, Arosh Janoda. |
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