Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

by A. W. Gunewardhana, Matara Central Corr

The 106th 'Battle of the Blues' in Matara between St. Thomas' Matara and St. Servatius will again be a three-day affair with the match scheduled to be played from March 17 to 19 at the Uyanwatte Stadium.

Out of the 105 encounters that have been played so far, St. Thomas' have won on 30 occasions while St. Servatius' has won the game 27 times while the rest of the matches have ended in draws.

St. Thomas' Matara last won in 2002, while St. Servatius' last win came 35 years ago - in 1971.

This encounter has produced two outstanding cricketers - former Sri Lanka skipper Sanath Jayasuriya who led St. Servatius' in 1988, while Indika de Saram who also played for Sri Lanka, led St. Thomas' in 1994. Tharanga Laksita who is also a Sri Lanka 'cap' played for St. Servatius', while besides Indika de Saram, Prabath Nissanka who played for St. Thomas', played for Sri Lanka.

A record that still remains intact is the one for the highest individual score in the series - 207 not out which stands to the credit of Gratiaen Liyanage in 1982.

Both teams are in search of a win this season. St. Thomas' has played 14 matches and all matches were drawn. Likewise, St. Servatius have played 12 matches and all ended in draws.

This encounter has been played as a three-day game since 2000 - the centenary year.

The Thomians are captained by 4th year coloursman Amila Eranga Vitharana Right-hand middle-order batsman and a right-arm leg-spinner. He also played club cricket for old Servatius XI.

Asela Indrasiri Thilakawardana is the vice-captain, a 3rd year coloursman right-hand middle-order batsman right arm medium pace bowler Tharindu Munasingha - 2nd year left hand bat- who opened the innings.

St. Servatius' are led by 5th year coloursman - Taraka Dinesh a right-hand middle-order batsman and right-arm leg-spinner. He also played club cricket for Matara Sports Club.

Krishanka Rangana is the Vice-Captain a 4th year coloursman who has, scord 439 runs and taken 34 wickets for the 2005/2006 season.

Dilanka Sanjeeva 5th year coloursman left-hand bat opens the batting.

St. Servatius are coached by a past cricket captain of the school-Imal Liyanage.

St. Thomas' is coached by D. P. M. C. Wadyaratne, a past captain of Matara S. C.

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

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