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by Chris Dhambarage

Isipatana with two outright victories to their credit in the current season are confident of putting up a good performance when they take on their traditional rivals Thurstan in the 40th annual Big Match on February 21 and 22 at the SSC grounds, Maitland Place.

Isipatana have really worked hard for success and they have made their presence felt by overcoming the more fancied St. Benedict's outfit by ten wickets at Kotahena and Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda by 112 runs at Colts grounds, Havelock Park. This is a creditable performance considering the fact they still do not own a playground of their own for home matches andI would like to captain England - Vaughan practices.

The side is led by third year player Oshadee Nawaragodagedera who is easily their best bowler with a tally of over fifty wickets in the Elephant Lemonade Cup 'A' Division League tournament. He was the matchwinner against the Benedictines capturing six wickets for 20 runs. In addition he took five wickets in an innings on four other occasions against Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda (5 for 25), Dharmapala MV Pannipitiya (5 for 58), St. Joseph's College (5 for 99) and Nalanda (5 for 41).

Second year coloursman Saman Nishantha is the vice captain of the side who has accumulated over 500 runs in the current season. He set up a record in last year's Big Match by scoring an unbeaten 150 and 44 not out in the second innings. The right hander has a top score of 68 against St. Joseph's College and is also a useful right arm off spinner.

Chanuka Perera is another senior player who has made some good contributions with the bat scoring a half century against St. Sebastian's College Moratuwa. The third year player has so far collected over 350 runs this year and is also a useful fast bowler.

Third year player Chaminda Prasad is the top all rounder of the side who has scored over 350 runs and captured over 35 wickets in the Elephant Lemonade Cup 'A' division league tournament. The right hander has a top score of 59 against Nalanda and returned best figures of 4 for 27 against Wesley College.

Second year player Anushka Bandara is another talented player who has showed promise from the limited opportunities. The right hander struck half centuries against three top teams Nalanda (74), St. Peter's (59) and St. Sebastian's (59). Altogether he has a tally of over 550 runs in the current season and look set to make a valuable contribution in the Big Match too.

Another second year player Thusitha Weeraratne is the wicket keeper of the side having held on to over 25 victims behind the stumps. In addition he had a top score of 64 in the game against Wesley College. Among the freshers Sanjaya Dilruksha has looked more impressive with over 500 runs to his credit in the current season. He has made fifties against St. Joseph's (66), Royal (51), St. Sylvester's (51) and D. S. Senanayake (64).

Dilan Amunugama is another fresher who has shown promise scoring over 425 runs this year with a top score of 76 against Nalanda and a knock of 56 against Dharmapala MV Pannipitiya. Among the bowlers paceman Gayan Seneviratne has impressed with a total of 25 wickets which includes a five wicket haul against St. Benedict's (5 for 18) and Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda (5 for 19).

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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