Well done Isipatana and Thursatan
"Play Safe First", "Do not lose", seem to be the uppermost thoughts in
the minds of most players and coaches when it comes to big matches these
days.
The carefree spirit of the game has given way. As in life to lose is
almost a shame.
The big matches season opened at the SSC, last weekend when Isipatana
met Thurstan. It was very heartening to witness a more positive approach
in this game and the motive to achieve a result being pursued.
The schools' cricket encounter holds a special place in my memory. In
1982 I had just been accepted as a commentator by the SLBC and this big
match of twenty years ago was my first effort at broadcasting. It was a
nervous start, but before long I began to find my feet.
Priya Paranavitharana, an old Thurstanite who played for his school,
the Colombo University and the SSC was responsible for assisting me with
that initial introduction. Priya was a tantalizing leg spin bowler who
bowled with that old fashioned flight and loop. He was bred in an era when
spinners were permitted to blossom without restrictions. They were given
long spells, attacking fields and the accent was on getting batsmen out
and not saving runs. It therefore meant that there were many real quality
spinners around. Even to get a place in the dozen or so first division
club teams was an achievement.
Priya was around this year too, serving cricket and his alma mater.
So too many others from both schools who worked tirelessly to make the
event a success. Did their efforts bear the desired results? With abundance
of international cricket that can be watched live on TV, school cricket
has been relegated to the rear seat. It is human nature that when sport
is viewed regularly at the highest level it is hard to spend time watching
a game of lesser standard.
It is only the allegiance to the institution that draws spectators to
these games. The sorry sight was the lack of schoolboys for this game and
many other big matches suffer the same. Day one was Friday and a "Roll
Call" was taken during the game! That forced a number of students to be
present. But on Saturday the student tents were nearly empty!
Attractive cricket is a sure way of increasing numbers by some percentage.
Slow over rates, time wasting, negative bowling and field placing, delaying
declarations do not help in any way.
The cricket was positive at the Isipatana-Thurstan match. Isipatana
dominated from the outset but when pushed against the wall their opponents
came back strongly.
Individual honours went to Isipatana's opening batsman Saman Nishantha.
On day one he stroked a very elegant 150 not out to establish a series
record. On day two when his team required quick runs, Nishantha, obliged
again scoring 44 unbeaten runs, 199 runs in two days - there is no doubt
the young man likes to play many more innings on the SSC pitch.
The highlight of the game was the 61 runs last wicket partnership put
on by skipper Gihan de Silva and Amila Nishantha. Another series record.
At 128 for 9 Thurstan looked certain to be asked to follow on still requiring
58 to erase that deficit.
Skipper de Silva and number eleven Nishantha stole the show with a partnership
of true chracter. Noticeably they played their natural game, unperturbed
by the situation. It was even more delightful, when de Silva declared 97
runs behind on the first innings.
Isipatana tried desperately to force a result by setting the opposition
193 runs to get in 30 overs. Never a possibility to dismiss ten batsmen
in that number of overs. But it opened the game out.
Although the Thurstanites lost wickets at regular intervals they were
not in danger of losing the game. They did not deserve to either. Most
encouraging was that 105 overs was bowled on each day and not going into
too much overtime. Congratulations to both teams. They set the pattern-
may the others follow.
Thomians favoured, but no let up from Royal
By Bernie Wijesekera
The 123rd 'Battle of the Blues' the 3-day match on March 7, 8, and 9 probably
the oldest schools cricket match in the world will generate tremendous
excitement this time. It will be played at the picturesque ssc grounds.
With the prevailing humid conditions, it's bound to be a boiling cauldron
to the fans and players alike. Today there are Big matches aplenty, but
the 'Blues' take pride of place. In the past some of the matches, produced
Cricket luv'ly criket. The present Warden of S. Thomas, David Ponniah,
scored a debut 100 for the Mt. Lavinia school in this big match.
Playing in this 'Battle of the Blues", is the dream of any schoolboy
of either side, before some of them join the big league. Today standards
have dropped in school cricket including among the schoolboys drawn from
these two schools, too. They have to generate excitement in the past despite
two days of exhausing cricket. The atmosphre changed somewhat last year
with the GSM Dialog sponsorship package. A joint committee from both schools
to help and give a new facelift with bigger crowds witnessing the game.
This traditional encounter between the two of the oldest schools in
Sri Lanka has a historic past. They played their hearts out.
Camaraderie prevailed to the end. Apparently times have changed with
strained relationship. Poor umpiring, too is a contributory factor, at
times decisions are debatable.
Today some of the school cricket umpiring is of sub-standard. Warden
of STC David Ponniah and the head of Royal, Mr. Lakshman Gomes has instilled
in their charges to refrain from unwarranted appealing and yelling. Both
heads should be commended for this. It isn't cricket. Schoolboys from both
institutions will be there in their numbers. Of course Royal schoolboys
tent will outnumber their counterparts, with nearly 6,000 leaning on the
picket fence watching the game.
Thomians this season under skipper Dilshan Gunawardena has enjoyed a
fruitful season. Dilshan, a fine allrounder said, "our forte is batting
going down the line, Jeevan Mendis, after a successful stint with the Lankan
team in the recent tour of New Zealand playing for the country in the disasterous
under 19 W.C. tour." He will bat at No. 4. Gunawardena has been among the
runs - scording 475 runs. Opener Arjun Rajawasam next best (opener) with
470 runs. Deputy Heshan Peiris, Wicket-keepr bat Kaushal Silva and Denham
Williams have been extremely consistent with the bat.
Royal bowling has variety - with a blend of pace and spin. Leggie Vidyash
Balasubramaniam with his "leggies" is the most sucessful with 47 wkts.
The Thomians have won two games outright - against Dharmapala and Mahinda,
and winning on the first innings against Richmond, Kingswood, Nalanda,
St. Joseph's and Trinity, St. Benedict's, Prince of Wales. Against the
Rajans (Kandy) Thomians won on the first innings. But needing 117 for an
outright win ended up with 116 for 7 at close (tie).
Dilshan is confident of winning this match with an allround team effort
but cricket is a glorious game of uncertainties.
In 1979 Centenary match it did hapen - Royal poised for victory, Royal
made 312 for 8. STC replied 154 made to follow. Facing imminent defeat
with 8 wickets down. Royal had plenty of time to pick the last two scalps.
Royal camp jubilant. But Mahinda Halangoda and C. P. Richard displaying
abundant grit held on to the close 252 for 8.
The Thomian team is being coached by Dinesh Kumarasinghe and the Master-in-charge
is Rohana Ekanayake.
Royal this season may not have enjoyed a healthy season but picked up
midway under that outstanding schools all-rounder Ganganath Ratnayake.
Ratnayake, a chip of the old block, is the cog in the wheel. The left-hander
has scored over 500 runs, with a best knock of 97 and has taken over 50
wkts with his offspinners. His father G.S. played and Captained Dharmaraja
in 1962 with much success and later played for the Police S.C. as a lefthand
bat and an off spinner. Ratnayake has been the mainstay of the team.
Royal may not boast of big names or depend on individual brilliance,
but has the courage and the determination. This was evident midway during
the season. Vice- captain, Vidanapathirana, a fast medium bowler, along
with fresher Taraka Kottehewa has shared the cherry. Taraka performed the
hat trick, against the Cambrians on the eve of the Big 'Un. 15-year-old
Naveen Dias struck 95 runs also against the Cambrians.
He along with Velu Arun Prakash, the wicket-keepr batsman. He bats aggressively
to prop the middle batting. Rochana Wijeratne, son of former Thomian cricketer
Sunil, Damith Abeygunawardena (son of old Royalist Metha) a versatile sortsman.
Both have the ability to play long innings, Menuka Keenawinna, a gritty
top order batsman has proved his mettle. The bowling is adequate, the fielding
has shown marked improvement. Besides the Captain Royal has another 'offie'
in Pasindu Chamikara, who has been effective, and a reliable lower order
bat. After their early setbacks Royal has learnt much from failure. Weak
things when united, become strong. Though taking the field as underdogs
in this 123rd contest they are sure to make an impact said their coach
Roger Wijesuriya.
Results:
Royal beat the Rajans and Dharmapala (outright). Got the better of St.
Benedicts, Wesley, St. Joseph's, Prince of wales, Richmond and Trinity
on the first innings. Lost to Nalanda (outright) and conceded first innings
defeats to Isipatana, DSSMV, St. Sebastians, St. Anthony's Kandy, Ananda
and St. Peter's. |
