132nd 'Battle of the blues':

S. Thomas' brimming with confidence against out-of-form Royal

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

CRICKET: Royal College who are struggling to find their fluency and S. Thomas' who consider themselves no longer underdogs, will meet each other in their traditional 132nd Battle of The Blues cricket encounter from March 10-12 at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds.

The Royalists have not had the best of seasons this year. They were without their regular skipper and last year's skipper Bhanuka Rajapakse most of the time. They were representing the Sri Lanka Under-19 National Team against England Under 19. But, in general, Royal needs a change in attitude if they are to make any significant impact in this all important match which both teams treasure. Out of the 18 matches played, this season, Royal has beaten De Mazenod, Moratu Vidyalaya and St. Aloysius' while losing to St. Sebastian's Moratuwa.

A record not that impressive. The Thomians have maintained an unbeaten record while beating Revatha Vidyalaya and Dharmapala. Thomian captain Chamod Pathirana, a third year coloursman, has proved his allround capabilities beyond doubt, capturing over 40 wickets and scoring over 400 runs.

The two coaches Gamini Perera (Royal) - a former Under-19 captain and Sajith Fernando (S. Thomas') who has led the Sri Lanka 'A' teams on numerous tours are two positive people who could make a difference on the outcome of the game.

"To be frank, Royal's performance has not been that impressive at all this season. But, when it comes to the 'big' match it is a different kettle of fish and the tendency of the players are quite different from normal circumstances while performing.

Royal are still to perform to their true potential and the team has not performed well collectively, and hopefully they should do so in the all important one", said the Royal coach Gamini Perera, a past captain.

Royal has seven coloursmen in their ranks, the top seven players namely skipper Ramith Rambukwella, Deputy Imran Khan, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Varuna Dissanayake, Imal Liyanage, Devin Pathmanathan and Gaurav Deva are still to play to their true form. Royal's problem is their inability to perform as one unit as their two top players - Bahnuka Rajapakse and Rambukwella have been in and out of the side due to their national duties.

Varuna Dissanayake (800 runs), Imal Liyanage (900 runs), Milan Obeysekera and Heshan Kumarasiri (over 800 runs) and Supun Subasinghe (600 runs) have been the main scorers this season for the Reid Avenue school.

Among the bowlers, left-arm leg-spinner Devin Pathmanathan has taken over 65 wickets and opening bowler Imran Khan over 40 wickets and they have been their main wicket takers.

On the other hand, the Thomians are brimming with confidence with the service of no less than nine coloursmen. Their new coach former Antonian captain Sajith Fernando said that the match will not be treated differently from the other games where they have performed well during the season.

"The boys are looking forward for a good competition, after a great season. The Thomians had been rated as the underdogs in the last couple of enounters, but now they cannot be tagged by that name, said coach Fernando.

The balance of the Thomian team seems to be good. Their batsmen and bowlers have called the tune whenever the necessity arose. Left-hander Sachin Pieris the wicket-keeper and the deputy captain is touching the 1,000 run mark, opener Asiri Wickremanayake (650 runs), Javed Bongso - one drop bat, Nuwan Kavinda (over 930 runs) and left-arm leg-spinner Neomal Wickremasekera(a reliable batsman and over 40 wickets) have given pleasing displays with bat and ball.

Royal last won in 2006 under Nadun Punchihewa and the Thomians savoured a win last in 2007 under Ashan Pieris.

The highest individual score in the series is by Royal's Sumithra Warnakulasuriya (197 in 1980). Former Sri Lanka captain Duleep Mendis of S. Thomas' also hit 184 in 1972.

Teams

Royal College (from):

Ramith Rambukwella (Captain), Imran Khan (V.Captain), Bhanuka Rajapakse, Varuna Dissanayake, Imal Liyanage, Devin Pathmanathan, Gaurau Deva, Milan Obeysekera, Anjana Kudahetty, Supun Subasinghe, Heshan Kumarasiri, Chamika Karunaratne, Sampath de Silva, Hashen Ramanayake, Poorna Aluthge, Harith Samarasinghe.

S. Thomas' College (from):

Chamod Pathirana (Captain), Asiri Wickremanayake, Javed Bongso,Nuwan Kavinda, Sachin Pieris (Vice Captain) Kavindu Perera, Ramith Gunaratne, Shiren Perera, Neomal Wickremasekera, Umesh Fernando, Madushan Ravichandrakumar, Mevantha de Silva, Rishan Mathagaweera and Brian Dharmasena.