'Battle of the Blues' hero talks:

Holiday was special

Anushka WITANAGE

He is their hero; the idol of all Thomians young and old.

For, the `Battle of the Blues' or Royal Thomian big match is in that sense immensely big for those hearts from the two institutions steeped in a 130-year old history of the game.

And in that history of tall stories of Thomian grit that has painted the `Battle of the Blues' so fiercely and longingly for the heart to treasure, 18-year-old Faahim Saleem will go down as one of those brave hearts that have contributed to keeping afloat the proud college slogan - 'Esto Perpetua.'

And speaking to the hero his biggest moment other than saving the day for his 'alma mater' was that `we earned a holiday the next day.' And understandably

so as Saleem, who stroked a laboriously workmanlike 165 spanning nearly two days to dwarf the tall deeds of all that was a right Royal march in Kusal Janith Perera and Banuka Rajapakse's batsmanship to steal the coveted `Man of the Match' award, describes it in the following words:

"The following Monday was very special to me as much as my team colleagues and all Thomians that I had batted and battled my way in total concentration of saving my team from defeat."

Saleem, who truly displayed the grit and pluck of defying everything that Royal's bowlers hurled at him, interestingly says Ricky Ponting is his favourite.

Believed in god

"Ponting is my role model," reveals Saleem, a second year colursman who will be donning the Thomian cap next year as well, as he adds "Its like my petrol, my car.

I believe in my cricketing ability and of course God who it was who guided me to save my school from what looked like certain defeat for an honourable draw."

His contribution is such that Saleem held the Thomian batting together while wickets tumbled around him staying at the crease like a magnet on the third and final day in taking S. Thomas' out of the ignominy of following on to a record second innings total of 411. And his heroics have earned him overnight recognition with two cricket clubs - NCC and Tamil Union approaching him to enrol to play club cricket. But Saleem, like with his bat, will not be rushed to a quick decision.

"I have asked them time to consider their offers," he says.

Will he seek to flaunt his talents to a higher platform to play at national level?

"Club cricket is quite different to school cricket. I must see how it goes. I'm interested in taking my cricket career forward. But studies are equally important," confides this (A/L) student.

"I think that you have to make good in your studies as well to be a man," muses the youngster who says that his parents and elder brother have been an inspiration to him in his cricket career which was also a contributory factor to him doing well in the big match.

"Knowing that I'm a stayer at the wicket they kept spurring me on saying `Saleem you can do it.'

Saleem favourites

Sportsman: Ricky Ponting

Dress: Denim trouser, tee-shirt

Food: Chocolate

Music: Not particular