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Sports

126th Royal - Thomian encounter could bring in a result
Thomians have visions of '99
By Bernie Wijesekera
Though not a national event - the Royal -Thomian "Battle of the Blues" is the oldest in the history of Sri Lanka School cricket. More than a mere flag waving 'big-match', this has evolved into an annual social event that lures Lankan migrants from all over the globe to come back home and sip a beer and have a chat with their 'ol chums back home about the good 'ol times.

Unlike in the past few years where the three days of cricket yielded no result, this year could bring in a difference. With a better balanced line-up, the Thomians have the edge at this 126th encounter at the SSC grounds on 10,11 and 12 March over Royal who also happened to succumb to their third defeat of the season at the hands of Dharmaraja at home in their 'big-match' prelude.

The last time S. Thomas' won was in 1999 under Narein Ratwatte. Royal last won under Rohan Iriyagolla in 1991. This year's match played on a low key sans pomp and pageantry due to the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami, but still life has to go on, to continue their friendly rivalry on and off the field.

Thomians led by Vidyesh Balasubramaniam a right - arm leg-spinner have performed reasonably well. They so far have won five matches -- against Gurukula, St. Benedict's, Dharmasoka, Maris Stella and St. Aloysius, Galle. However they also suffered a defeat against St. Peter's. This year the lads from Mt. Lavinia played 19 matches.

Last year's captain, diminutive wicket-keeper batsman, Kaushal Silva, learnt the skills at Sri Sumangala, Panadura. The lad also has already played at the junior national level. He is the mainstay of the Thomian batting at No 4. He has scored 998 runs with four 100s. Besides Kaushal, Ashan Peiris has scored two 'tons' 100 n.o., against Trinity and 101 n.o., - St. Benedict's. Fresher, Nisham Mazahir, also has scored over 450 runs. This lad, too made merry against St. Benedict's with 100 n..o. The others in the batting line-up are: opener Shashritra Pussegolla. Vice -captain Sanjeev Mendis a third year coloursman. Sanjeev (son of former Sri Lanka captain Duleep Mendis) is an untility allrounder.

Royal this season taking the field under lanky Dimitri Siriwardena have not enjoyed a good season, despite fielding a talented side. For the record Royalists have played 19 games have won only against Meepawela Amerasuriya M.V. and lost to St. Joseph's and Prince of Wales prior to losing their last match against Dharmaraja. Their setbacks could be attributed to lack of coolness and calmness to bat and bowl under pressure. Imagine Nalanda struggling at 4 for 8. But Royal let them off the hook and Nalanda batsman Tharindu Attanayake made merry with a knock of 174 runs.

The bowlers at vital stages lost their rhythm. Skipper Siriwardena a batting artiste like Kaushal Silva of STC also has played at junior national level. This season he has scored 1093 runs with four 100s. St. Sebastian's 107, Richmond 100 n.o., 106 Trinity and 136 St. Benedict's. Besides this he also made a made a carefree 101 not out for Sri Lanka under -19 team, against the visiting Qatar national team. Dimitri indulged in a fine exhibition of controlled hitting.

What they need is mental toughness to give the Thomians a run. Forget about the past. Vice - captain Nadun Puchihewa, is an adequate allrounder - two in one bowler (left-armer). Attacking batsman Sukith Senaratne and Eranga Godamunne will open the batting. Both batsmen are sound, but must adjust themselves and concentrate. In the middle order they have wicket-keeper batsman, Malinga Maligaspe an attacking batsman with a wide array of strokes. Besides the captain he has been among the runs. Dusky Gayan de Silva, Samith Nandamulla, Feroz Ahamed (went at No. 3). In the Josephian match showed abundant concentration and application and was ninth man out. Gave an object lesson to others who failed miserably.

Dulanjaya Wijeratne the key spinner (off-spin) could bat the lower order. Joined by 15-year-old leg-spinner, Haroon Mowjood who possess a good defence. Royal bowling has variety. Their spin trio - Punchihewa, Wijeratne and Mowjood have regularly shared the wickets, what they lack is application. Make this match a worthy three-day encounter than running into panic stations.

Royal skipper Dimitri would want to sign off his school career with a right royal effort for all to enjoy. What matters in the end is how you play the game.

The teams:
Royal - (from) Dimitri Siriwardena (capt), Nadun Punchihewa (vice capt.), Dulanjaya Wijeratne, Gayan de Silva, Malinga Maligaspe, Sukitha Senaratne, Akitha Bandara, Samith Nandamulla, Haroon Mowjood, Eranga Godamunne, Ravinath Gunasekera, Feroz Ahamed, Lakmal Abeysekera, Roshan de Silva.
S. Thomas -(from) V. Balasubramaniam, Sanjeev Mendis, Navin Perera, Ashan Peiris, Sajith Kularatne, Nigel Adams, Shashrith Pussegolla, Nisham Mazahir, Dhanushka Colombage, Daham Pilapitiya, R. Karunaratne, Shivanth Girasbandran.

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