Thurstan and Isipathana to adopt new 'Big Match' concept
By Ranjan Anandappa
Thurstan-Isipathana: Thurstan College will have the edge over
their traditional rivals Isipathana with their superior batting when
they meet each other in their 51st annual cricket encounter on April 4th
and 5th at the SSC grounds.
Isipathana College: Seated from L to R: Pradeep Nishantha
(Coach), Wasantha Kumara (POG), Kelum Bastianz (V. Captain), A.C.
Perera (Principal), Kaminda Dananjaya (Captain), Janaka Bandara
(MIC),Akila Madusanka (Asst. Coach). Standing L to R: Venushka
Chamal, Promod Maduwantha, Shenal Deelaka, Davis Imesha, Diluka
Shehan, Avinda Soyza, Madushan Chameera, Sachin Jayasooriya,
Ushan
Perera, Dushan Nirmana, Torry Thabrew, Danura Deelaka, Youmesh
Ranasinghe, Sudhara Dakshina. |
Thurstan College - Standing from Left to Right: Arjuna Jayasena,
Senal Wijesinghe, Arjun Gunawardena, Thilan Gunarathne, Achintha
Kalpana, Kasun Abeyaratne, Raveesha Lokuge, Kasun Weerasinghe,
Sajith Gunathillaka, Sahan Dassanayake, Erang Jayasinghe, Nipuna
Luckshan, Isuru Fernando, Ayesh Weeraratne, Chinthaka Udaya.
Seated from Left to Right: Saman Hewawitharane (Coach), Asitha
Samarawickrama (Master-in-Charge), Thimira Jayasinghe, Laxhman
Gunathillaka (Asst. Principal), Kavindu Kulasekara (Captain),
Daya Bandara (Principal), Minhaj Jaleel (Vice Captain), Samitha
Abeyasundara (Prefect-of-Games), Avishka Peiris, Charana
Nanayakkara, Suneth Gunathillaka (Asst. Coach). |
In this year's match, both schools are to adopt a new concept to get
closer to each other. In the 'Big Match series', Thurstan is in front
with 5 wins to Isipathana's 4.
At a press briefing held with regard to the 'big match' held at the
BRC pavilion, the principal of Isipathana A.C. Perera said that he is
keen in introducing a novel conception in 'big match' culture which has
been lacking in the past in many traditional encounters which will bring
goodwill and harmony among the schools.
'This year we have planned to have students and even the players to
spend some time with both schools under one roof and banner during the
match and exchange pleasantries. We are hoping to have even the cycle
parade as a combine effort and meet at one point.
The combination of both schools in a friendly atmosphere should avoid
animosity and being a nuisance to the general public at times we see
during these 'big' cricket encounter and was confident that it would
materialised.' said the Isipathana Principal.
Kavindu Kulasekera a Sri Lanka under 19 representative who was a
member of the Under 19 Asia Cup and the Under 19 World Cup teams will
lead Thurstan side that comprises another prolific scorer Minhaj Jaleel
who has topped the 1,000 run mark (1024) for the season with five
centuries against his name.
Kulasekera missed a good number of matches due to his involvement
with the under 19 squad, but has done well to score over 553 runs with
two centuries. He will also have the services of Sajith Gunatileka (755
runs with a century and five fifties) and Thimira Jayasinghe (690 runs
with a hundred and 23 wickets).
Among the bowlers, Ayosh Weeraratne an off spinner with 36 scalps has
been their front line spinner with left arm paceman Achintha Kalpana 30
wicket s and Senal Wijesinghe 29 wickets who also bowls left arm has
added variety into the attack.
Thurstan has played 18 matches for the season winning one and losing
one. While Isipathana has won one and lost two games. Isipathana has
been performing well intermittently. But in a game of this nature the
tendency of both schools giving their best is a known factor.
In the Isipathana camp led by Kavinda Perera, the top order batsmen
have been among the runs. Pramodh Maduwantha is their leading run-getter
with 750 and the rest Sachin Jayasuriya (650 with a hundred), Salinda
Ushan also 650 runs and Torry Tharindu 500 have been striking well.
Torry Tharindu has proved himself as an useful all-rounder by
capturing 45 wicket with his off spin.
Saman Nishantha (150 n.o) of Isipathana holds the batting record for
the highest individual score in the series while Kamal Mahendra 142
remains the top score for Thurstan in the series. Thurstan's left arm
medium pacer Jayajeeva Karunaratne (7 for 28) has the best bowling
analysis in the series with Ispathana's K.L.S.K. Sirisena also taking 7
for 49 in the 1967 match.
Teams
Isipathana College: Kavinda Perera (Captain), Kelum Bandara (V.Captain),
Salinda Ushan, Torry Tharindu, Chameera Dissanayake, Danusa Deelaka,
Sudara Dakshina, Davis Imesha, Yamesh Ranasinghe, Dushan Perera, Avinda
Soysa, Pramodh Maduwantha, Sachin Jayasinghe, Senal Deelaka, Diluka
Shehan, Venushka Chamod.
Thurstan College: Kavindu Kulasekera (Captain), Minhaj Jaleel,
Sujith Gunatileka, Thimira Jayasinghe, Chamara Nanayakkara, Senal
Wijesinghe, Achintha Kalpana, Arjun Gunawardene, Kasun Abeyratne, Ayesh
Weeraratne, Isuru Fernando, Chinthaka Udaya, Arjuna Jayasena, Thilan
Gunaratne, Sahan Dassanayake. |
