Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

By S.M. Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy Sports Corr

An even contest is expected and a draw appears to be a safe bet when Trinity College clash with St. Anthony's College in Kandy's 90th 'Battle of the Blues' to be played at Katugastota on March 10th and 11th (Friday/Saturday). Play commences at 9.45 a.m. on the first day and at 9.30 a.m. on the second day.

This fixture which began in 1914 has been played regularly except for three years and two of them being in the mid fifties due to a problem between the two schools which was later resolved.

A peep into the records tells us that of the 89 matches which had been played, the Trinitians who dominated the series in the early years, have won 22 matches against 11 by the Antonians. The Antonians' dominance in the series came after 1952 after winning their centenary year match in 1954 by an innings under A.C.M.Lafir who himself led the way by scoring 166 and put on 266 for the first wicket with Ronnie Stevens who himself scored a century. The Antonians last won in 1992 under Umesh de Alwis while Trinitians have a 20 year-old hoodoo to break as their last win came in 1986 under Thushara Weerasuriya.

Trinity College will be led by allrounder Charitha Dumbarage fourth year coloursman. A good right-arm off-spinner Dumbarage is also stubborn batsman who rises to the occasion, at a time they are in a crisis.

Another fourth year coloursman 16 year-old Sachith pathirana is the vice-captain of the side. One of the finest allrounders produced by Trinity College, who captured 102 wickets last season, the highest ever by a Trinitian, he also won the 'Best Bowlers' award in the island. He has played only in a few matches this season as he was on junior national duty for the country in the Youth World Cup. A fine left-arm spinner and a hard hitting batsman, he scored 762 runs last seasons. Two years ago, he reeled off 228 not out against Sri Rahula College, Katugastota in an unblemished knock which is the highest by a Trinitian and also highest innings against that school by any team. This year too he took 9 wickets against Sri Tahula to bowl them to their first victory.

Trinity has played 13 matches, won 2, lost 1 and drawn the rest.

Their batting will hinge on skipper Charitha Dumbarage, Sazeer Mohammed, Sachith Pethirena, Sampath Ratnayake, Santush Ratnayake, Dilan Gangoda, Sanka Auwardt, Arinda Bulunuwewa, Chamika Kaluarachchi and Romesh Perera.

The attack will be opened by Sazeer Mohammed and Rajitha Bandara or Chamika Kaluarachchi with Arinda Bulunuwawe coming in as stock bowler and one who turns to spin later. The spinners in the side are left-armour Sachith Pathirana, off-spinner Charitha Dumbarage, Dempath Ratnayake (off-spinner) left-arm spinner Arinda Bulunuwewa, Lasith Jayatillake. Dilan Gangoda will 'keep' wickets.

The Antonians will be led by third-year coloursman Shameer Munas who has excelled with the bat scoring a century against St. Benedict's. He has scored over 600 runs this season. He has also reaped a rich harvest of wickets with his right arm off cutters.

Hard hitting batsman and third-year coloursman Selwyn Jamion is the vice-captain of the side. He will spearhead the side's attack.

The Antonians have played 13 matches, winning 3, losing 1 and drawing 9 matches.

Their batting will centre on skipper Shameer Munas, Harshana Medagoda, last year's skipper Pramodth Fernando, Peter Samarakoon, Gihan Dissanayake, Malindu Perera, Adil Reyal, Dinusha Wijewardena, Eranda Hewapathirana, Jerome Siogortsz.

The attack will be opened by Selwyn Jamion and Peter Samarakoon, followed by the off-cutters of Shameer Munas, Pramodth Fernando (off-spin), Adil Royal (left-arm spin), Eranda Hewapathirana (off-spin) and Milinda Ranasinghe left-arm spin, Harshana Medagoda (off-spin).

Additional pacies in the side are Fabian Leonard and Roshan Mahosh.

Gimhan Dissanayake who has over 30 victims to his credit will 'keep' wickets.

Trinity College: Charitha Dumbarage (Captain), Sachith Pathirana (Vice Captain), Sampath Ratnayake, Arinda Buluwewa, Sazeer Mohammed, Lasith Jayatillake, Santush Ratnayake, Dilan Gangoda, A. Thova Niroshan, Chamika Kaluarachchi, Rajithe Bandara, Rajeewa Kumaravel, Sanka Auwardt, Romesh Perera, Malinda Dunuwilla, Deeshan Williames, Rajendran Atcharan, Ravindra Adhikari, Dilina Dissanayake, Rogerson Mirando. (Coach H.M. Muthalib. Master In Charge Gamini Dissanayake)

St. Anthony's College: (from) Shameer Munas (Captain), Selwyn Jamion (Vice Captain), Pramodth Fernando, Harshana Medagoda, Peter Samarakoon, Gimhan Dissanayake, Malindu Perera, Adil Royal, Dinusha Wijewardena, Eranda Hewapathirana, Jerome Siegortaz, Febian Leonard, Roshan Mahesh, Milinda Ranasinghe, Raveen Thomas, Hiran Wickremasekera, Suneth Hettiarachchi, Sahan Pallihakkara, Subramaniam Sumindan, Eranda Senaviratne.

| News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security |
| Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries | Junior Observer |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.