Batting is all about partnerships
and this was best revealed by two promising schoolboy cricketers in the
most extraordinary manner during the 130th annual Battle of the Blues
three day encounter.
Raveenthiraja Nirrushan and Faahim Saleem may not be the most
extravagant batsmen in the Thomian line up. But this pair was able to
bring great pride and honour to their alma mater with a sensational 209
run third wicket partnership that helped them to force a creditable draw
at the end.
 True
they could not break the record for the highest ever partnership for any
wicket in the Big Match series. They missed out on the chance of making
the highest ever team total between the two teams. But for their sheer
courage and determination this performance will be remembered for a long
time.
There was a similar occasion in the Centenary Big Match in 1979 where
S. Thomas’ College produced a gallant batting performance to force a
draw having faced near defeat at one stage. It is believed that the
“Thomian Grit” was born following that match and after 30 years the
drama was reacted in the form of Nirrushan and Saleem.
The situation this time of course was even more tough as the Thomians
were following on after been bundled out for a mere 99 runs in the first
innings. The pressure was really mounting on the two most experienced
batsmen in the side skipper Nirrushan and Saleem.
The pair had earlier pulled their side out of trouble with a similar
partnership in their outing against St. Sebastian’s College at Moratuwa.
However the Big Match against the traditional rivals Royal College was
altogether a completely different game with a different atmosphere.
The setting was absolutely perfect at the SSC grounds for a great
batting performance as Nirrushan and Saleem formed a magnificent
partnership that will go into history as one of the finest comebacks
ever seen in this series.
In 1979 the Thomian combination of Mahinda Halangoda and C. P.
Richards were able to perform a kind of miracle by putting on 91 runs
for the ninth wicket and save the match for their side. But the efforts
of Nirrushan and Saleem could be even greater considering the fact that
they had occupied the crease for nearly five and a half hours facing
Royal’s formidable pace spin attack.
And when Nirrushan departed for a well compiled 104 early on the
third day the job was only half done because S. Thomas’ College still
needed some runs on the board to increase their overall lead. That task
was performed to near perfection by Saleem who was able to hang around
and frustrate the opposition for a marathon nine hours which is
incidentally an all time record in the Big Match series.
Saleem said that he realised the situation well and occupied the
crease as long as possible to save the game. He expressed that the great
understanding he had with his captain Nirrushan was the secret for their
success which enabled them to put on that double century partnership.
Meanwhile Ajith Jayasekera who has been working with the S. Thomas’
College team very closely felt that this was probably the greatest ever
batting performance the team had produced in the Big Match series. He
stated that the coaching staff had a lot of faith in these two players
and was delighted that they had delivered the goods when the side needed
their services most.
Former coach of S. Thomas’ College Ranil Abeynaike of course was not
really surprised at the splendid performances of Nirrushan and Saleem.
The former SSC and Sri Lanka Cricketer believed that these are the
results of all the hard work and commitment they had practised from
junior level. In fact Abeynaike has been instrumental in guiding and
polishing the batting techniques of these two players since they began
their career in the under 13 side. They have improved tremendously since
then and certainly they could look back with a great amount of
satisfaction.
- Chris
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