S. Thomas' out to avenge last year's defeat

by Ranjan Anandappa

CRICKET: The 128th 'Battle of the Blues' encounter between Royal and S. Thomas' is bound to be a result oriented one with both teams being vulnerable in their batting this season. The match will be played on March 8, 9 and 10 at the SSC grounds.

It is the batsmen of either side who could provide the full run in this three-day encounter. However, a Royal-Thomian clash always generates a lot of interest and some special performances cannot be written off by both sides. The Royalists won last year under the leadership of Nadun Punchihewa while the Thomians recorded an innings win in the previous year (2005) under Vignesh Balasubramanium.

In comparison to the batting strength of both sides, the scale should tilt slightly more towards the Thomians who are looking forward to exploit on the weaknesses of the Royalists batting. Royal started off the season not so impressively, but has picked up during the latter part of the season. Their last win against Trinity justifies their efforts.

Both teams have been having mixed fortunes. In the 13 matches played by Royal so far, they have defeated Sri Rahula, St. Benedict's and Trinity. The win against Trinity has no doubt given the Royalists a big boost prior to their big game. The win against Trinity indicates that the team has knit together according to their coach Chulaka Amarasinghe.

The return of Kusal Perera the wicketkeeper, who was out of the team due to his commitment with the Sri Lanka under 19 team in Malaysia, has provided more punch to their batting. 'One drop' bat Banuka Rajapakse has been their top scorer with over 800 runs inclusive of two centuries against St. Peter's and Sri Rahula. Charith Fernando has proved his allround capabilities scoring over 400 runs and taking over 27 wickets, while Kavisha de Silva too has been among the runs for Royal.

The Thomians have played twenty matches this season. They lost to Nalanda and beat Trinity and Zahira. Skipper Ashan Pieris is their chief run getter with over 950 runs and two centuries against his name. Opener Sashrika Pussegolla (850 runs) and Nizam Mazahir a Sri Lanka Under 19 player has been among the runs.

Thomians too have a promising left arm leg spinner Milan Fernando who has taken over 55 wickets for the season. Dinesh Walpita and Ruchira de Silva will open the Thomian attack with Mazahir as the third paceman.

Haroon Mowjood the Royal captain, who is also a junior national poolist is a player who could make the difference. This right arm leg spinner has been their chief wicket taker who is nearing the 50 scalp mark with his mesmerising spin. There are also two off spinners Dilan Nanayakkara and Kanishka Boteju.

Both teams have six coloursmen each in their ranks. For Royal, wicketkeeper Kusal Perera, Feroz Ahamed, Charith Fernando, Haroon Mowjood - the captain, Dilan Nanayakkara and Yasith Abeykoon. The Thomians have skipper Ashan Pieris, Sashrika Pussegolla, Ashan Fernando, Nizam Mazahir, Jehan Thahir and Ruchira de Silva as coloursmen. "The balance of the Thomian side is good, we have batting allrounders, with a good top order, and we are aware of the weakness of our opponents' batting. We have a good bowling attack and we are going to fire them out twice", said the Thomian coach Ranil Abeynaike who seemed to be confident in pulling off the match in his favour. Royal coach Chulaka Amarasinghe said that the Royal team is a young one averaging 16 years of age, and they lack maturity. Obviously you gain experience through maturity. We started off well but could not maintain our form throughout as we could not find the right combination.

In the 127 encounters played so far both schools have won 33 matches each with the rest ending in draws. Sumithra Warnakulasuriya of Royal holds the highest individual batting record (197) in 1980. His son Diren Warnakulasuriya is down to represent Royal in the 128th match. The highest individual score for the Thomians is by Dulip Mendis (184) in 1972. The highest partnership for any wicket was established in 1996 between Anushka Polonowita (164) and Yasas Dharmarathne (124) which realised 254 runs for the third wicket. The highest partnership for the Thomians (186) was between P. Ian. Pieris (123) and Geoff Wijesinghe (64) for the fifth wicket in 1953.

There has been two best allround efforts, both by Royalists. In 1930, D. B. Gunasekera struck 140 and had a match bag of 9 for 105 and Rochana Jayawardene hit an unbeaten 140 and had a match bag of 9 for 83 in 1983.