51 matches have ended in draws:

Cambrians and Sebastianites looking for a win

by Dilwin Mendis - Moratuwa Sports Corr.

Prince of Wales College .... Standing (from left): Harith Sanjeewa, Gnamithra Udayanga, Ashan Fernando, Sampath Mahesh, Nipun Chaara, Praveen Malinga, Shehan Jayasuriya, Tharindu Dilshan, Dulan Chatuka, Nipun Chitmal, Savia Wijesuriya, Sithum Fernando. Seated (from left): Isuru Thilina, Lantra Fernando (Coach), Thisru Ruwaruna (V. Capt.), K. A. Somapala (Prefect of Games), Nuwantha Peris (Captain), Rohana Karunarathne (Principal), Buddhika de Alwis, Susantha Mendis (Master-in-charge), Malshan Mendis. - Picture by Dilwin Mendis - Moratuwa Sports Corr.

St. Sebastian’s College ... Standing (Back Row from left: Viroshana Alwis, Ramesh Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Amila Aponso, Anuska Fernando. Standing (Middle-row from left): Ramesh Mendis, Anoj Gayashan, Chrismal Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Sanitha de Mel, Marlon Fernando, Kasun Fernando, Angelo Fernando, Deshan Dias. Seated (from left): Franl Cooray (Master-in-charge), Rev. Fr. Dilran Peiris (Prefect-of-Games), Anuk de Alwis (Captain), Rev. Fr. Bonnie Fernandopulle (Rector), Charith Fernando (Vice-Capt.), Neil Rajapaksa (Coach), Rashan Peiris (Junior Coach). - Picture by Dilwin Mendis - Moratuwa Sports Corr.

Looking for a win. That will be foremost in the minds of Prince of Wales captain Nuwantha Peiris and St. Sebastian’s skipper Anuk de Alwis when they do battle in the 60th annual ‘Big Match’ at De Soysa Park - Tyronne Fernando Stadium on March 12 and 13.

Both skippers will be longing to register a win in this prestigious encounter as the wins registered are few and far between. The Cambrians have so far registered six wins while the Sebastianites have just two wins to their credit. So 51 matches have ended without a result. The last result was registered in 1977 when Prince of Wales won under the captaincy of Pemlal Fernando.

Prior to the Big Match, both prince of Wales and St. Sebastian’s will meet two tough opponents and it will be a good test of strength. Prince of Wales will meet tough opponents Trinity college, who beat both S. Thomas’ and Royal in recent matches. St. Sebastian’s will meet S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia.

Upto the time of writing, the Sebastianites have played 17 matches and they have recorded seven outright wins, five first innings wins and lost on first innings in five games. St. Sebastian’s beat St. Anne’s, Kalutara M.V., St. Anthony’s Katugastota, Isipatana M.V., De Mazened, St. Sylvester’s and President’s College, Rajagiriya.

Prince of Wales on the other hand played 16 matches, had four outright wins - against D. S. Senanayake College, Lumbini M.V., Joseph Vaz and Royal College, gained seven first innings wins and were beaten on the first innings on four occasions and drew with Isipatana.

With second year coloursman Nuwantha Peiris as captain, the Cambrians have quite a formidable team under him including last year’s skipper Buddhika de Alwis. This will be an added advantage for the Cambrians as Buddhika has performed well with both bat and ball this season. The vice-captain of the team is Thisaru Ruwaruna - an allrounder who opens the attack with Malshan Mendis.

The Cambrian batting looks quite formidable with Isuru Thilina and Nipun Peiris to open. Isuru Thilina scored a century against D. S. Senanayake College. He also has got five half-centuries. Nipun Peiris is also a fine allrounder and scored over 400 runs and taken 35 wickets with a best haul of 6 for 70 against Ananda. Then there is a fine allrounder in Shehan Jayasuriya who has scored over 800 runs. He set somewhat of a record in scoring 165 runs against Royal erasing the previous highest score of 163 set in 1955 by former ‘cap’ Stanley de Alwis.

The Sebastianites’ skipper Anuk de alwis - a third year coloursman is a fine bowler and has five wicket hauls in two matches - vs Kalutara Vidyalaya being his best effort. The vice-captain is Charith Fernando. The batting will be opened by ‘keeper’ Deshan Dias and Oshada Fernando and both of them have topped 1,000 runs this season. Deshan Dias became the third schoolboy to achieve while Oshada became the fourth cricketer to do so.

The Sebastianites attack will be spearheaded by Sunith de Mel (right-arm) and Vishwa Fernando (left-arm). One bowler who has bowled well this season is Amila Aponso who took five wickets on six occasions.

Prince of Wales: Nuwantha Peiris (Capt.), Thisaru Ruwaruna (V.Capt.), Buddhika de alwis, Malshan Mendis, Isuru Thilina, Shehan Jayasuriya, Nipun Chamara, Sithum Fernando, Dulan Chatuka, Sampath Mahesh, Tarindu Dilshan, Harith Sanjeewa, Gnamitha Udayanga, Praveen Malinga, Hashan Fernando, Saviya Wijesuriya, Nipun Sithumal.

St. Sebastian’s: Anuk de alwis (Capt.), Chareth Fernando (V. Capt.), Sanitha de Mel, Deshan Dias, Amila Aponso, Oshada Fernando, Viroshan Alwis, Ramesh Fernando, Anusha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Ramesh Mendis, Anoj Gayashan, Crismal Fernando, Marlon Fernando, Jasun Fernando, Angelo Fernando.