Isipathana - a slight edge over Thurstan in 46th encounter

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

Isipathana College: Standing (Back Row from left): Himas Gomes, Vikum de Costa, Harith Wanigarachchi, Madushan Zoysa, Rajitha Gayam. Middle Row standing (from left): Dimuth Warapitiya, Dimithiri Perera, S. Sulochana, Chanaka Jayaneththi, Chamara Waduge, Nilusha Sasanka, Pranama Sri Vimukthi, Anushka Samaratunga. Seated (from left): Amila de Silva, Mr. L. L. Sisira Kumara (Master-in-Charge), Mr. Gamini Sarachchandra (Prefect of Games), Dr. K. A. D. Punyadasa (Principal), Sakuntha Premarathna (Capt.) Mr. Suranga Wijenayake (Coach), Thiwanka Ranasingha (V. Capt.)

Thurstan College - Standing (from left): Javed Siyambalapitiya, Saham Thushira, Sayuru Nimna, Ranishka Gamage, Nuwan Dharshana, Prabodha Arthavidu, Ishan Perera, Udara Munasinghe, Charith Jayarathna, Supub Nawarthne, Ishara Wijerathna, Thisura Madurapperuma. Seated (from left): Ravindu Wijerathna, Mr. D. N. Gurudeniya (Master-in-Charge), Chamalka Gamage (V. Capt.) Mr. Vimal Gunarathna (Principal), Indika Massalage (Capt.) Mr. Dinesh Weerasinghe (Coach), Shihan Kamileen.

Cricket: The school cricket 'big match' series will begin next Friday, when the 46th encounter between Isipathana and Thurstan for the `Blackham Wijewardena Memorial Trophy' gets under way at the SSC grounds on February 27 and 28.

In the series of 45 matches played so far, Thurstan has won 5 to Isipathana's 4 and the rest have ended in draws with one match not being played.

Thurstan won last in 1992 under Mackenzie Perera while Isipathana won precisely a decade ago (1999) under the leadership of Krishantha Jayawardena. The highest individual score for either side in the series is by Isipathana's Saman Nishantha (150 n.o) in 1992. Kamal Mahendra's 146 n.o in 1990 remains the highest score for the Thurstanites.

Thurstan's left-arm medium pacer Jayajeeva Karunaratne's (7 for 28) in 1992 still remains the best bowling performance from either side. He did better than Isipathana's K.L.S.K. Sirisena (7 for 79) in 1967 which stood for 25 years prior to Karunaratne's efforts.

Isipathana this year, has a slight edge and the psychological advantage over their rivals by virtue of their 6 outright wins. They have been having mixed fortunes by losing at the beginning of the season, but started winning at the latter stages of the season. Isipathana had played 18 matches so far and they beat Trinity, Lumbini, St.Sebastian's, President's College Rajagiriya, Zahira and Mahanama. Their 55-run win against Trinity was the most memorable one as they beat the Kandy school for the first time in their history of cricket. Isipathana has also lost to St.Joseph's, Nalanda, Royal, S.Thomas', D.S.Senanayake and St.Peter's. On the other hand Thurstan, although recording a fewer number of wins (2) against Maris Stella and Kingswood has maintained an unbeaten record during the season playing 14 matches. They drew against St.Joseph's, St.Anthony's Katugastota, S.Thomas', Royal, Prince of Wales, Dharmasoka, D.S. Senanayake, St.Sebastian's, Dharmapala, Nalanda, St.Benedict's and Mahanama.

Dimuth Warapitiya has been Isipathana's top run getter, 581 in 16 matches including three 50's and a highest score of 66. Niluka Sasanka (471) runs, Pranama Sri Vimukthi (513) runs, Thivanka Ranasinghe (444), Dimithri Perera (481) and Sakuntha Premaratne (399) have been among the runs. Skipper Sakuntha Premaratne is a hard hitting middle order batsman and an useful off spin bowler who has taken over 50 wickets. Isipathana's main bowling strength lies on Premaratne and left arm spinner Anushka Samaratunga who has captured over 65 wickets for the season.

Thurstan's unbeaten record should put them in a better frame of mind. Skipper Indika Massalage, the left - handed opener has done the bulk of the scoring for the side with an aggregate of 585 with a top score of 111 against Maris Stella. Shehan Kamaleen has blossomed out as an allrounder with over 450 runs and a highest score of 91 against S.Thomas' and 43 wickets under his belt should provide the backbone for his side. Nuwan Dharshana (334) runs, Chamalka Gamage (291) runs and Prabudha Arthavidu (274) have been among the runs for the Thurstanites. Arthavidu has also taken 39 wickets.