Big Match season starts with Thurstan-Isipathana

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

BIG MATCH: The 2010/2011 'Big Match' starts with the 48th annual cricket encounter between Isipathana and Thurstan for the Blackham Wijewardena Memorial Trophy on February 26 and 27 at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds, Maitland Place.

Both, Thurstan and Isipathana have not performed impressively this season, but when it comes to a big match the players of either side are determined to give their best, and the team that puts their best foot forward on the day should make a big impact in the match.

Isipathana has won against Holy Cross, Kalutara and lost to D.S. Senanayake while Thurstan has beaten Kalutara MV, Mahanama and Kingswood. They lost to Zahira and Royal, Panadura.

Isipathana will be captained by fourth year coloursman and a stylish left-hander Dimuth Warapitiya. He has topped the 600-run mark with two centuries against Prince of Wales (137) and President's College Rajagiriya (102). The other coloursmen in the team are Nilusha Sasanka (457 runs), Harith Wanniarachchi and Samitha Sulochana (36 wickets), Damith Mallawarachchi (40 wickets) is the highest wicket takers for Isipathana.

Thisura Madurapperuma, playing in his fourth year, a coloursman and a reliable middle order batsman, will lead Thurstan. Prabodha Arthavidu - a fine all rounder (over 700 runs and 40 wickets) is the deputy.

In the 'big match' series, Thurstan has won 5 to Isipathana's 4, with 37 drawn and one not being played. Isipathana last won in 1999 under the leadership of Krishantha Jayawardena.

Thurstan recorded a hat-trick of wins in 1991, 1992 and 1993, but neither Isipathana nor Thurstan have been able to produce a result thereafter.

The highest individual scorer in the series is Isipathana's Saman Nishantha (150 n.o.) in 2002.

Thurstan's left-arm medium-pacer Jayajeeva Karunaratne (7 for 28, in 1992) has the best bowling analysis in an Innings. K.L.S.K. Sirisena of Isipathana also took 7 for 79 in 1967. ISIPATHANA (from): Dimuth Warapitiya (Captain), Nilusha Sasanka (V. Captain), Harith Wanigaarachchi, Samitha Solochana, Danushka Sandaruwan, Bushana Nibanda, Deshan Jayakumar, Wimarshana Tillkeratne, Sidath Mallawarachchi, Pavan Anjana, Chenuka Wickremasinghe, Ravindu Jayawardena, Hashan Wickrema Silva, Sanka Thabrew, Charith Rajapakse and Sandeep Himasha.THURSTAN (from): Thisura Madurapperuma (Captain), Prabodha Arthavidu (V. Captain), Supun Navaratne, Ranga Wijayawickrema, Sajeeva Salgado, Sachith Dias, Sachintha Wijesinghe, Kavin Tharindu Silva, Harith Dias, Yasiru Kularathna, Ramindu Kumarasinghe, Ashan Wanigarathne, Rajitha Perera, Kavindu Kulasekera, Kavindu Silva, Nisala Madusanka.