Thurstan have the edge over Isipatana

Chris Dhambarage

Cricket: Thurstan College with a penetrative bowling attack will have the edge when they take on the traditional rivals Isipatana College in the 43rd annual inter school Big Match at the SSC grounds, Maitland Place today.

The Thurstanites have looked the better side this year considering their overall track record. Although they have lost one match they have really played well against some of the stonger teams which is a clear indication of their capabilities.

In contrast Isipatana have somewhat struggled to get their act together well in the current season and have just a solitary win to their credit against Lumbini MV. This year too Isipatana have toiled hard to produce the results despite not having a playground of their own for their regular fixtures and for their daily practice sessions.

Nevertheless their preparations for the Big Match has been quite encouraging and the boys are determined to put up a good performance in this important clash. Incidentally last year too Isipatana came out with a fantastic effort where they took major honours despite going in as the underdogs.

They rattled up 308 for 9 in their first innings which was also their highest team total in the series beating the previous best of 301 made in 1997. Isipatana certainly have all the reasons to feel confident because two of their players who impressed in last years Big Match Visuddhi Kaluwitharana and Tharaka Waduge are still with them in addition to their captain Isuru Vindana and vice captain Gihan Dilruk.

The most significant contribution came from all rounder Tharaka Waduge where he bagged the man of the match award while Kaluwitharana hit an unbeaten 102 with fourteen fours. In addition Dilan Anuradha and Isuru Vindana also completed half centuries. Even then on present form the Thurstanites look a better outfit and were able to stretch some of the more fancied opponents to the maximum.

In the 'Big Match' series, Isipathana has won 4 matches to Thurstan's 5 with 32 drawn and one not played. Thurstan last won in 1992 under Mackenzie Perera and Isipatana defeated their rivals in 1999 under Krishantha Jayawardena. The highest individual score in the series is by Saman Nishantha 150 not out (Isipathana) in 2002. Thurstan's left arm medium pacer Jayajeeva Karunaratne has the best bowling record in the series 7 for 28 in 1992.

The teams:

Thurstan (from): Charith Wickremaratne (captain), Kanishka Elvitigala (vice captain), Shehan Perera, Buddhi Heshan, Lahiru Gamage, Hasitha Perera, Umesh Karunaratne, Rishi Ukwatte, Charith Gayan, Shalaka Rangajeeva, Geeth Kumara, Tiral Jeramiah, Pubudu Shanaka, Ruwan Chamara, Sumudu Yasasri.

Isipatana (from): Isuru Vindana (captain), Gihan Dilruk (vice captain), Vimukthi Deshapriya, Wadeeba Perera, Chirantha de Silva, Maneesha Ayomal, Sachith Jayasinghe, Lakshan Samarasena, Sameera Rathnayake, Gamindu Kanishka Amarasinghe, Lilan Fernando, Amira Rabel, Tharaka Waduge, Lasitha Hettiarachchi, Visuddhi Kaluwitharana.