Timely declarations should bring about a result

By Leslie Fernando

CRICKET: When two evenly balanced sides confront each other it's that special effort that gives the result and St. Joseph's College and St. Peter's College, who meet for 74th occasion at the P. Sara Stadium on March 7 and 8 will look forward for this type of performances to end the 30-year-old drought of wins.

Both teams are geared to produce some sparkling cricket with well-knit combinations. For St. Joseph's, the 35-year-old stay for a win is considered too long after winning, in 1973. St. Peter's last won in 1978.

The Battle of the Saints' started in 1933 and St. Joseph's lead with II wins. St. Peter's have 7 wins. 55 games have ended in 'no-decisions'. Timely declarations and a positive approach by both teams will be the key for an exciting encounter.

Right-hand opening batsman Ruwantha Fernandopulle will lead the Joes and Anuk Silva will captain the Peterites.

St. Joseph's beat St. Benedict's College, Susumayawardene MV and St. Anthony's College, Katugastota, while St. Peter's recorded wins over Trinity, Dharmaloka and De Mazeuod College. Both Joes and Peterites will have the great advantages of fielding two players each from Sri Lanka under-19 World Cup team.

Roshane Silva and Thisara Perera for St. Joseph's and Angelo Perera and Chathura Peiris for St. Peter's. St. Joseph's batting seems to be their strong point this year. Ruwantha Fernandopulle, Dimuth Karunaratne and Anton de Livera have been their main scorers. Fernandopulle's run tally is 538 runs with a century and five half centuries, Karunaratne has scored 844 runs with three centuries and 4 half centuries and Livera's aggregate is 587 runs with a century and 4 half centuries.

There is also under 19 World Cup stars Roshane Perera and Thisara Perera who are capable batsmen. Joes bowling will be spearheaded by Sameera Weerasinghe who has taken 43 wickets with his off-spinners. Treshan Rajasooriya left-arm medium paceman and right-arm fast bowler Thisara Perera have been bowling with good effect to claim 24 and 22 wickets this season.

St. Peter's on their part will pin hopes on their skipper Anuk Silva - who has scored 49 runs including a century and four half centuries.

St. Joseph's College: (from): Ruwantha Fernandopulle (Capt.) Dimuth karunaratne, Roshane Silva, Anton de Livera, Thisara Perera, Shameera Weerasinghe, Treshan Rajasooriya, Prabudha Sankalpa, Sahan Wijesiri, Nirmal Rajapakse, Hareen Silva, Nishika de Silva, Dinal Dhambarage, Chathuranga Kumara, Jaan Jayasinghe, Anushka Shakthi, Nilshan Perera, Rosco Thatil, Graham Vincent.

St. Peter's College: (from): Anuk Silva (Capt.), Srimantha Wijeratne, Shevanga Ranasooriya, Andri Berenger, Suranga Rodrigo, Ruwan Wickremanayake, Akshu Fernando, Nilochana Perera, Angelo Perera, Chathura Peiris, Denaham Perera, Chanaka Fernando, Vinod Perera, Thivanka Silva, Hashan Wickremasooriya, Kushal Rodrigo.