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| Sunday, 6 March 2005 |
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Royal's shock defeat to Dharmaraja gives hope to Thomians in 'Big Match' by Srian Obeyesekere School cricket's blockbuster - the 126th Royal-Thomian coined the 'Battle of the Blues' will shade around which of the two sides has the firepower dominance with the ball to swing a decision when the 3-day encounter unfolds from March 10 Thursday to Saturday the 12 at the SSC grounds. This year's 'Big Match' carries the trimmings for the type of drive required from the two sides when it comes to the crunch game despite neither having had the best of seasons. S. Thomas' has a slight edge, having won five of their 19 outings. They lost to St. Peter's. S. Thomas' beat Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda, Maris Stella, Negombo, St. Benedict's, Gurukula MV and St. Aloysiuz' Ratnapura. Royal, on the other hand, played 16 matches and won against Meepala Amarasuriya Vidyalaya, Galle and lost to St. Joseph's and Prince of Wales. Royal received a terrible blow to their morale in 'Big Match' preparation when they suffered defeat at the hands of Dharmaraja College at Reid Avenue on Thursday. Royal were beaten by 7 wickets. The Royalists made 210 and 151 for 9 wickets declared and they set the Rajans a victory target of 219 from 36 overs which was acepted by the Rajans and they reached their target making 220 for 3 wickets. They made 143 runs in the first innings. The other matches played by Royal were drawn. The pre-match hype in the run-up to the big day perhaps is best manifested in the words of Thomian coach Ranil Abeynaike that 'we have a strong side in a mixture of seven coloursmen to which we have an ideal blend of new boys to harmonise allround strength worthy of winning'. Abeynaike has told his charges: "They have two good batsmen in Dimitri Siriwardena and Gayan de Silva. Get them early and we are there". If Abeynaike, a veteran in the game from a wealth of experience of knowing the SSC track by memory to playing experience as a former Thomian captain and SSC player itself, sounded strong optimism in favour of the 'Blue, Black and Blues', Royal coach Nalliah Rajan lent a cautious optimism that the 'Blue, Gold and Blues' were ready to spring a surprise on their arch rivals. "I might have four coloursmen, but player to player we are equal. Although the boys have not performed to expectations, I'm confident that they have begun to click as a team to deliver on the big occasion which is a totally different ball game. The talent is bound to come out through two or three players as it always does. The best example is our drawn match against Trinity two weeks ago where we made a bold declaration to set a victory target of 223 in 39 overs and then restricted Trinity to 172 for 7", said Rajan who wore the Royal cap as an allrounder in 1982 and '83. The form book apart, the fact that this the oldest big match in the world at that level, is tied at 32 wins apiece is a motivating tonic for the two camps to force a decision. S. Thomas' last won in 1999 under Naren Ratwatte, and Royal in 1991 under Rohan Iriyagolle. Sixty of the encounters have been drawn. However, the deadlock also kindles memories of the much disputed 9-run win claimed in the series by the Thomians with Abeynaike referring to the buried hatchet with a mused chuckle that 'we are ahead on that game'. Abeynaike singled out his potential stars in skipper Videsh Subramaniam, a 4th year coloursman who is an able right-arm leg-spinner and middle order batsman. The batting neucleus revolved around five-17-year old right-hander Ashan Peiris a second year at the pivotal No. 3 counting two centuries under his belt, Sanjeev Mendis, son of Duleep, who is the Vice Captain at No. 4, middle-order wicket-keeper-batsman Kaushal Silva, Dhanushka Colombage a right-hander with 500 runs this season, and 16-year old Nizam Mazahir the baby of the side whom the coach considers his 'trump card'. Mazahir clobbered a century against St.Benedict's, but has been kept under wraps. Abeynaike is also pinning his faith on the experienced left hand opener Naveen Perera, who has had just a half century, to come good when it matters. He will pair with right-hander Shasrika Pusagolla. The bowling will revolve around opening bowlers Sajith Kularatne and Nigel Adams, both right-armers whom the coach says are quite sharp. While Mendis is a part-time medium pacie, the rest of the bowling themes on spin led by the captain with right arm off spinners Daham Pilapitiya and Colombage to supplement. Royal will have to muster fresh hopes to meet the challenge of the Thomians. They will have to strengthen their batting and their in-form captain the stylish No. 4 right hander Dimitri Siriwardena who has scored over 1000 runs this season will have to give a superb display along with No.3 Gayan de Silva and with 18-year-old left hand wicket-keeper batsman Malinga Maligaspe, who has 700 runs to his credit, if the Royalists are to offer any challenge to the Thomians. Coach Nalliah Rajan considers the 'baby of the side' 15-year-old Arun Mowjood, the right arm leggie with 25 wickets so far as his dark horse. Although Rajan had high hopes of Royal having batting depth right down the order, his expectations went haywire with their loss to the Rajans on their own turf at Reid Avenue just a week before the big 'un against the Thomians. The fast bowling department will be spearheaded by Siriwardena and Eranga Godamuni with Sukitha Senaratne as first change. Coach Rajan has faith in his bowlers to deliver the goods. He does not believe the Thomian bowlers have some person to claim 20 wickets to win. A factor which though his opposite number wouldn't agree with. "The SSC pitch is known to favour seam in the first session, and we know exactly what to do", Abeynaike rounded off. S. Thomas Videsh Subramaniam (Capt.), Sanjeev Mendis (V.Capt.), Ashan Peiris, Kaushal Silva, Dhanushka Colombage, Shasrika Pussagolla, Naveen Perera, Sajith Kularatne, Nigel Adam, Daham Pilapitiya, Nizam Mazahir. 12th man - Rajendra Karunaratne. Royal (from) Dimitri Siriwardena (Capt.), Nadun Punchihewa (V.Capt.),
Malinga Maligaspe, Gayan de Silva, Sukitha Senaratne, Akitha Bandara, Samith
Nandamulla, Dulanjaya Wijeratne, Arun Mowjood, Eranga Godamuni, Feroze
Ahmed, Lakmal Abeysekera, Roshan de Silva. |
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