Royal’s inconsistent batting should help Thomians

Dinesh Weerawansa

ROYAL-THOMIAN: Royal’s inconsistent batting could give S.Thomas’ a slight advantage and an opportunity to avenge last year’s defeat when these two teams meet in the 128th Battle of the Blues three-day cricket encounter which starts at SSC grounds today.

Royal has a relatively young side. Though they started the season on an impressive note, they have failed to maintain the rhythm midway. Their batting had not been consistent. Though they have several talented batsmen, they are yet to come out with their brilliant best.

S.Thomas’ too have a team of equal strength. But their batting is comparatively better.

If they could maintain the same form and improve their bowling, then they should be in a position to dictate terms to the Reid Avenue boys. The Thomian bowling has been shaping well and their coach Ranil Abeynaike would make every effort to capitalise on this slightly advantageous position.

Winning the toss this morning could be a huge bonus especially for S.Thomas’ if they are planning to expose Royal’s weak links in batting on a wicket that would carry early life.

If the side winning the toss elect to field first, their quick bowlers would be able to make use of lively conditions to attack top order batsmen.

However, the SSC wicket for the match looks ideal for batting and if the side batting could survive the pre-lunch session today, they could expect a healthy total towards the end of the day.

Both teams have six coloursmen each in their ranks. Kusal Perera, Feroz Ahamed, Charith Fernando, skipper Haroon Mowjood, Dilan Nanayakkara, Yasith Abeykoon for Royal and captain Ashan Pieris, Sashrika Pussegolla, Ashan Fernando, Nizam Mazahir, Jehan Thahir, Ruchira de Silva for S.Thomas’.

Royal coach Chulaka Amarasinghe would prefer to go in to the big ‘un as a underdogs and emulate their last year’s achievement. Though the Thomians came in to last year’s encounter as favourites, it was Royal who turned tables at the end with a giant-killing performance.

With those sweet memories of that seven-wicket win as underdogs, Amarasinghe has been able to inject confidence to the team as they look forward to register back to back wins.

Royal’s last successive wins in the series were in 1990 and 1991 under Udaya Lakmal Wijesena and Rohan Iriyagolle respectively.

Though the Battle of the series has come to almost all major cricket venues in Sri Lanka, the joint organizers have opted for SSC grounds for the last one and a half decades. This will be the 14th consecutive Royal-Thomian, being played at SSC grounds at Maitland Place.

Of the 127 matches played in the series since 1880, both Royal and S. Thomas’ share honors with 33 wins each with the rest drawn. Sri Lanka’s premier inter-school cricket encounter began in 1879.

It was open to both the students and teachers before it was formally inaugurated in the following year. Among the many great cricketers produced by the two leading cricket playing schools, Duleep Mendis (S.Thomas’) and Ranjan Madugalle (Royal) went on to captain Sri Lanka Test team.

Dialog Telekom has been the proud sponsor of the Battle of the series for the last eight years. Thanks to the keen interest shown by that great Royal-Thomian combination of Nushad Perera (General Manager - Sales & Marketing) and Dr. Hans Wijeyasuriya (CEO) to promote sports, the leading mobile communication giant, Dialog Telekom has once again come to power the rich traditions of the Battle of the Blues.

The Teams:

ROYAL: (from) Haroon Mawjood (Captain), Dilan Nanayakkara(Vice Capt), Yasith Abeykoon, Feroze Ahamed, Charith Chathuranga, Kusal Perera, Banuka Rajapakse, Maneesha Thantrigoda,Lakshitha De Silva, Diren Waranakulasooriya, Kanishka Boteju,Kaveesha de Silva Mahesh Buddika,Chalaka Bogada, Vinod Malwatte, Sahan Hettiarachchi, Chamath Dharmasiri, Kithruwan Vithanage.

S.THOMAS’:(from) Ashan Peiris (Captain), Nizam Mazahir, Ruchira De Silva Jehan Thahir, Sashrika Pussegolle, Thilina Nugawela, W.H.D. Soysa, Wiswa Weerawardena, R.Nirushan, D.S.Walpita, Ashan Fernando, I.A.S. Dasanayake, U.S.M.Fernando, M.R.N.Fernando, W.A. Wijesinha.