A keen tussel expected in final

Chris DHAMBARAGE

CRICKET: Ananda College and St. Peter's College will figure in a grudge battle when the two top teams clash for supremacy in the All Island under 20 inter school limited overs knock out cricket tournament final at the SSC grounds, Maitland Place tomorrow.

Both teams are fielding a star studded line up which includes a number of former and present Sri Lanka youth players in addition to a host of many other promising young players.

This final will be of even more significance considering the fact that their regular first eleven fixture this year did not come off due to reasons unknown.

After overcoming the rest of the opponents quite convincingly in their pre quarterfinals, quarterfinals and semifinals respectively, Ananda and St. Peter's are now well set for the final showdown which will earn them the tag as the schools limited over champions for 2006.

The Peterites of course are enjoying a fantastic season having recorded five outright victories during the league competition.

They also had the credit of defeating their traditional rivals St. Joseph's College twice this year in the annual one day fixture as well as in the semifinals a couple of days ago at the NCC grounds, Maitland Place.

The Anandians in contrast have made it to the final quite smoothly without any great difficulties which is something associated with them for the past few years.

They have a good track record in the limited overs tournament and they have the knack of playing more aggressively when it comes to the final.

Even then the Peterites feel that they have the better combination for this type of cricket with several good all rounders in their ranks.

Another significant fact is that they are not depending purely on a couple of individuals but they are more concentrating on team work which is probably the main reason for their success this year.

The Peterite batting will revolve around their skipper Hans Fernando and vice captain Lahiru Peiris who is easily their highest run getter for the current season.

The pair figured in a matchwinning partnership in the semifinals and will be hoping for a repeat performance.

The Peterite late order batting too could do some damage during the latter stages of the innings as so did Anuk Silva, Angelo Perera and Krishal Magage who in fact won the man of the match award in the semifinals for his four wicket haul.

But their main weapon where the bowling is concerned has been leg spinner Lakshan Rodrigo who captured one hundred wickets during the league tournament and Shiwanga Ranasuriya who has stuck to his task as a promising all rounder.

The Anandians will be under pressure because they are depending heavily on the top four batsmen to boost their total.

Opener Amal Athulathmudali has been in cracking form this year while his partner Ranganath Wijetunga, Wishwa Wijesuriya and skipper Chatura Herath all have been quite consistent run getters throughout the season.

The teams:

St. Peter's College (from): Hans Fernando (captain), Lahiru Pieris, Prabudha Perera, Dilan Udugamasuriya, Anuk Silva, Krishan Magage, Dasun Randika, Umar Samsudeen, Angelo Perera, Shiwanga Ranasuriya, Lakshan Rodrigo, Mevan Samarasekera, Chanaka Fernando, Ruwan Wickremassinghe.

Ananda College (from): Chatura Herath (captain), Amal Athulathmudali, Malith Gunatilleke, Suchira Madapatha, Ruchira Herath, Udara Jayasundera, Udara Peiris, Bishan Dabare, Mahi Wathuregama, Gayan Rupasinghe, Wishwa Wijesuriya, Ranganath Wijetunga, Sameera Wijesuriya, Ishara Wickremasinghe, M. Perera.