Thomians have confident look over Royalists in 129th encounter
by Leslie Fernando
CRICKET: The Thomians have good reasons to be happy with their
performances this season as they go into 129th 'Battle of the Blues'
cricket encounter against Royal with confidence on March 13, 14 and 15
at the SSC grounds, Maitland Place.
A fine win over Trinity College by 8 wickets and six wins over Wesley
College, Nugawela Central College, Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Zahira College,
Maradana, Dharmasoka College, and Thurstan College gave the Thomians
seven wins in all of the 18 matches that they have played this season
(and this includes the 2007 third-term matches).
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ROYAL COLLEGE - Standing (2nd row from left): Shavindra
Alwis, Chalaka Bogoda, Vinod Malwatte, Thilina Samarasinghe,
Sahan Hettiarachchi, Lochana Premaratne, Mahes Buddhika,
Kithruwan Vitanage, Charutha Rajaratne. Standing (middle row
from left): Kaveesha de Silva, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Lakshitha de
Silva, Kanishka Botejue, Maneesha Thanthirigoda. Seated (from
left): Messrs Chula Amarasinghe (coach), E. G. N. Rajakaruna
(MIC), Y. Abeykoon, Dilan Nanayakkara (captain), Upali
Gunasekera (Principal), Prasanna Upashantha (Vice Principal),
Charith Fernando (Vice Captain), Haroon Mowjeed, Kusal J. Perera,
T. M. T. A. Rauf (Senior Games Master). Pictures by Herbert
Perera |
In the long-standing series, S. Thomas' are in the lead with 34 wins
to Royal's 33 with 61 matches ending without a result. S. Thomas' won
last year's encounter under the leadership of Ashan Peiris while Royal's
last win came in 2006 under Nadun Punchihewa. S. Thomas' will be led by
the experienced 4th year player and coloursman A. J. Thahir.
He opens batting and will also bowl leg-spinners. He has a total of
617 runs with 90 being his highest and to back up his performances, he
also has taken 20 wickets.
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S. THOMAS’ COLLEGE: Standing (2nd row from left): R. Liyanage,
M. F. Saleem, N. Ghany, D. Manamperi, M. S. N. Peiris. Standing
(middle row from left): H. A. T. Fernando, M. R. N. Fernando, U.
S. M. Fernando, R. Nirrushan, D. Walpita, N. T. Nugawela, Dinesh
Soysa, A. Kornor. Seated (from left): Benjamin Jeganathan (MIC),
Ranil Abeynaike (Head Coach), R. A. Fernando, A. J. Thahir
(Captain), Dr. David Ponniah (Warden), L. R. de Silva (Vice
Captain), V. Weerawardene, Dharantha Minerigama (Asst. Coach),
Ajith Jayasekera (Coach). |
The Thomians have a strong batting side and in the team are three
centurions - 'fresher' M. F. Saleem who has an aggregate of 956 with a
score of 151 against Nugawela Central - N. T. Nugawela aggregate of 491
with 103 not out against Nugawela Central being his best and fresher N.
Ghany who has a top score of 100 not out against Wesley College - Ghany
has a total of 403 runs.
In bowling too the Thomians have a varied attack. Their key 'bowler'
is left-arm, spinner U. S. M. Fernando who has a unique achievement of
capturing 103 wickets for the season.The Thomian bowlers have delivered
the goods and that is reflected in their seven victories. Royal will
have their hands full in coping up with the Thomian bowlers.
Royal, in their turn, have been able to register only two wins
against Richmond College and up-and-coming-team from Kotte-Ananda
Sastralaya. They have played altogether 14 matches which includes the
third term games.
Royal have, however have shown marked improvement. In most of their
games at the latter stages of the season they have matched the skills of
their opponents.
Dilan Nanayakkara captains Royal. He has scored over 400 runs and
taken 16 wickets with his right-arm off-spin. His deputy will be Charith
Fernando a punishing bat with potential to tear any attack apart. His
medium paces have brought him a haul of 16 wickets.
Royal top order is packed with allrounders. Last years' skipper
Haroon Mowjood has claimed the highest number of wickets - 56 with his
spinners and has scored 202 runs.
Royal batting has a lot of depth. Apart from skipper and deputy
others who should bolster the total are Sahan Hettiarachchi (568 runs),
Banuka Rajapakse (537 runs), Kusal Perera (379 runs). Lochana Premaratne
(259 runs). |
