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| Sunday, 29 February 2004 |
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Exciting cricket in store in 104th Ruhuna 'Battle of the Blues' by A. W. GUNAWARDHANA, Matara Central Corr It's the 104th 'Battle of the Blues' in the South as the two oldest schools of Ruhuna St. Thomas' Matara and St. Servatius will be engaged in their traditional three-day cricket match from March 5 to 7 at the Uyanwatte Stadium. A number of past encounters played have ended in draws. However, in the year 2002, St. Thomas' recorded an innings win, while St. Servatius' recorded their last win in 1971. This annual encounter has gained popularity over the years and an interesting note is the fact that former Sri Lanka skipper Sanath Jayasuriya led St. Servatius team in 1988. On the Thomian side, there had been some great cricketers too. Former Sri Lanka player Indika de Saram captained St. Thomas' in 1994 and another Sri Lankan player Prabath Nissanka who was in Sri Lanka's World Cup squad in 2003 also played for the Thomians in 2000 and 2001. Big scores have been the order of the day in the past and the highest score in this encounter is 207 by Gratian Liyanage of St. Servatius in 1982 and this record has stood the test of time and still is the record for the series. St. Servatius' seems to have fared slightly better this season posting three victories, two by an innings, one on first innings while two have been drawn in the six matches played this season. St. Thomas' have not recorded outright wins this season, but have recorded eight first innings wins while three matches have been drawn in the 11 matches played. St. Thomas' will be led by their top allrounder T. H. Dimuthu Thathsara, a third year coloursman who has shone with both bat and ball. He has a century and two half centuries this season and scored over 400 runs. He has also taken 14 wickets. He is also a member of Matara Sports Club team. The vice captain of the side is 4th year coloursman M. P. Charaka Chaturanga. He is a capable batsman too with 148 against Vidyartha as his highest. St. Servatius will be led by 4th year coloursman Kasun Bodhisha who has done better in bowling, capturing 25 wickets in the six matches played during the season. He has scored 350 runs. The vice captain of St. Servatius is Miyasi Lelwala - also a fourth year coloursman. |
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