Prince of Wales vs St. Sebastian's....:

Oh for a win in the Big Match!

By Dilwin Mendis - Moratuwa Sports Corr.

CRICKET: Oh for a win in the `Big Match'! This will surely be the hope of the two skippers - Buddhika de Alwis of Prince of Wales and Prageeth Perera of St. Sebastian's College at the 59th Prince of Wales vs St. Sebastian's cricket encounter to be played on March 13 and 14 at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa. The 24th Limited-Over encounter will be played on Sunday March 15 at the same venue.

Prince of Wales - standing from left: Savia Fernando, Hashan Fernando, Isuru Thilina, Dulan Chatuka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Thushara Alwis, Nipun Charmara, Malshan Mendis, Sampath Mahesh, Nuwantha Peiris, Chehan Dammalage, Sithun Fernando. Seated (from left): Mohamed Hassim, Susantha Mendia (Master-in Charge), Dilan Chandima (V.Capt.) Sampath Weragoda (Prefect of Games), Rohana Karunarathne (Principal), Buddhika de Alwis (Cap.), Lantra Fernando (Coach), Thisaru de Mel. (Picture by Dilwin Mendis - Moratuwa Sports Corr.)

St. Sebastian’s - standing from left: Deshan Dias, Oshada Fernando, Ramesh Fernando, Marlon Fernando, Sanitha de Mel, Brian Paul, Konney Rodrigo, Kasun Fernando, Jayaran Fernando, Anoj Gayashan, Smils Aponso, Shawan Fernando. Seated (from left): Charith Fernando, Frank Cooray (Master-in-Charge), Prageeth Perera (Capt.), Rev. Fr. Bonnie Fernandopulle (Rector), Ishara Fernando (V. Capt.), Sanjeev Silva (Coach) and Anuk de Alwis. (Picture by Dilwin Mendis - Moratuwa Sports Corr.)

The desire for a win will be uppermost in the minds of the two skippers as this encounter has dragged on without a definite result since 1978 and the long line of `no result' matches has somewhat dampened the interest of the fans from both colleges.

In the series, Cambrians are in the lead with six wins to the two scored by the Sebastianites. The 30 draws in-a-row may well be a record in inter-school `Big Match' history and both schools will no doubt hope that a result could be got after two days of interesting cricket this year. Music and all the fun that has been associated with this encounter will be there this year too.

The match was inaugurated in 1933 and it has been played to-date with two `breaks' from 1938 to 1953 and in 1969 and 1970.

An outright result is what both teams are yearing as neither school has won a match outright this year. Earlier last week Prince of Wales drew their final preparation game against Wesley at De Soysa Stadium with the Cambrians getting 202 to Wesley's 137. Then the Sebastianites drew their final preparation game against St. Benedict's. St. Sebastian's got 224 and 93/2 while the Benedictines got 247.

Prince of Wales have played 15 matches and lost one match to Ananda and skipper Buddhika de Alwis will not only want to wipe that loss away, but more than that he will want to get Prince of Wales an all important win in the Moratuwa battle to keep the interest alive in this encounter.

Prince of Wales will hope that skipper De Alwis will be at his best and his deputy Dinesh Chandimal - the highest scorer this season will be able to pile on the runs. Skipper De Alwis is the only player of Prince of Wales who played in last year's `Big Match' and the Cambrians will hope that the rest of the team will be able to `pull up their socks' and contribute to the Cambrian total so that they will be able to make things a bit difficult for the Sebastianites.

On the other hand, the Sebastianites will have four players from last year's team available for this week-end's match with Prageeth Perera as captain. He is reputed to be a fine batsman. The vice-captain will be Ishara Fernando. Deshan Dias will open batting for the Sebastianites with his skipper Prageeth Perera. Much is expected of left-arm leg-spinner Anuk de Alwis who has performed well for St. Sebastian's in last year's encounter. Among the freshers there is Amila Aponso, Jayaram Fernando and Brain Paul to bolster the Sebastianites.

Teams

Prince of Wales: Buddhika de Alwis (Capt.), Dilan Chandima (V. Capt.), Mohamed Hassim, Thisaru de Mel, Savia Fernando, Hashan Fernando, Isuru Thilina, Dulan Chatuka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Thushara Alwis, Nipun Chamara, Malshan Mendis, Sampath Mahesh, Nuwantha Peiris, Shehan Dammalage, Sithum Fernando.

St. Sebastian's: Prgeeth Perera (Capt.), Ishara Fernando (V. Capt.), Charith Fernando, Anuk de Alwis, Deshan Dias, Sanitha de Mel, Oshada Fernando, Brian Paul, Ramesh Fernando, Marlon Fernando, Konnry Rodrigo, Kasun Fernando, Jayasiri Fernando, Anoj Gayashan, Amila Aponso, Shawan Fernando.