Its celebration time for the old and present boys of the two leading cricket playing schools Prince of Wales and St Sebastian’s in Moratuwa when the much looked forward big match between these two institutions takes place on March 12 and 13 at the De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa.
Prince of Wales Team |
This is the 60th in the series of which the Cambrians are leading with six wins against two to the Sebs. This will be followed by the limited encounter between the two schools which is the 25th in the series to be played on March 14 (Sunday) at the same venue.
In this version the two sides are equal with 11 wins while the other three was washed out due to bad weather.
The last win in the big match series was achieved by the Cambrians in 1977 when the side was led by Pemlal Fernando while the last win for the Sebs was way back in 1966 under Sarath Perera. So the Sebs has been without a win for the last 43 years and the side this year looks capable of breaking this jinx.
This season the Prince of Wales led by Nuwantha Peiris have played 16 matches so far winning four against DSS, Lumbini MV, Joseph Vaz and Royal while St Sebastian’s led by Anuk de Alwis have played 17 matches winning seven against St Anne’s, De Mazenod, St Sylvester’s, St Anthony’s K’tota, President’s R’giriya, Kalutara MV and Isipathana.
The two sides have a strong batting line up with the Cambrians possessing Shehan Jayasuriya who has scored over 700 runs including a ton, Isuru Thilina the other centurion, Buddika de Alwis who has scored over 600 runs and Nipun Peiris.
St Sebastian Team |
The Cambrians bowling department this season has been dominated by the spinners with left arm spinner Buddika de Alwis who has over 70 wickets to his credit being their mainstay. The others being Malshan Mendis, Shehan Jayasuriya and Nipun Peiris.
These players are going to be a threat to the Sebs in both the batting and bowling department.
But having all that will the Cambrians be able to counter the Sebs who has a strong batting set up. They have two players who have reached the 1000 runs milestone this season in Deshan Dias and Oshada Fernando. Deshan who was the first to reach has two tons and 11 half tons while Oshada is not second with three tons and four half tons with a top score of 194 against Thurstan.
Then they have four players who have crossed the 500 run mark in skipper Anuk, Kasun Fernando, Ramesh Fernando and Viroshana Alwis. So with this talent the Sebs are going to be run riot if the Cambrians are not going to be sharp.
The bowling attack too has the power to curtail the opponents with left arm Amila Aponso who is supposed to be the baby of the team being the sheet anchor who is their leading wicket taker with over 70 wickets. Then there is right arm pacie Sanitha de Mel who too has been successful and will be expected to off his best in this crucial match.
Skipper Anuk too has been in the wickets with his left arm spinner is their next top wicket taker with over 50 wickets. He holds the big match bowling record figures of 8 for 48 which he achieved last year.
With so much talent oozing in both the camps the two sides will no doubt go in for a win with the Sebs hoping to break their 32 year old hoodoo and the Cambrians their 43 year old jinx. |
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