Thomians set to thrash Royalists black and blue

Battle of the Blues poised for early finish

Dinesh WEERAWANSA

ROYAL-THOMIAN: Only a miracle could save Royal from certain defeat as S. Thomas are well set for an early victory by lunch today - the third and final day of their 128th Battle of the Blues cricket encounter at SSC grounds, Colombo.

At close on day two yesterday, Royal were struggling at 124 for 6 - still needing 84 runs to stop the mighty Thomians pulling off a convincing innings victory.

Royal began the second day last morning at their overnight total of 40 for 3, still needing 180 runs to avert follow on. The overnight pair of Feroze Ahamed and Banuka Rajapakse added 35 runs last morning before wickets tumbled at regular intervals.

As exclusively predicted in our preview, S. Thomas’ exposed all weak links in Royal batting with some accurate bowling.

Thomian bowlers, led by Milan Fernando, maintained a good line and length to add salt to Royal’s wounds. Fresher Fernando was the most dangerous with some penetrative bowling to make life miserable for Royal batsmen.

Ever since Royal lost their fourth wicket at 75 last morning, Thomian bowlers had success at regular intervals as the Reid Avenue boys were bowled out for 167 runs inside 63 overs. Left-arm spinner Fernando, the most successful Thomian bowler this season with 60 wickets to his credit, added five more to his haul. He finished with 5 for 23 off 17.3 overs.

None of the Royal batsmen was able to overcome the penetrative Thomian attack, though Banuka Rajapakse (28), Kusal Perera (22) and skipper Haroon Mowjood (26) made desperate attempts to rebuild the Royal first inning. Royal fared no better after they were forced to follow on - 207 runs behind.

S. Thomas’ had early success in the Royal second innings when opener Kavishka de Silva was caught by Weerawardene off Shashreeka Pussegolla for five with only 30 runs on the board.

The only bright spot in the Royal second essay, which otherwise looked miserable, was a fighting half century by opener Diren Warnakulasuriya.

He showed his fellow team mates how to keep cool and bat under pressure. Warnakulasuriya made a gallant 54 with six boundaries off 142 balls in 194 minutes. But none of the other Royal batsmen was able to play a supportive role to him.

Sri Lanka Under-19 cricketer Nisham Mazahir captured three vital wickets to set phase for an early Thomian victory.

He finished with three for 20 as Royal ended the day at 124 for 6. With just four second innings wickets in hand and needing 84 runs to make Thomians bat again, an innings defeat for the Royalists looks brighter.

Royal should only blame themselves for their pathetic batting. They made too many blunders, including that controversial decision to field first after skipper Mowjood won an all-important toss.

Royal batsmen never were able to come out of that shell as Thomian bowlers fired everything to maintain that pressure.

Royal’s problems became even worse after that pathetic fielding display as several catches were missed.

S. THOMAS’ COLLEGE 
1st Innings - 374 for 7 decl.
(Ashan Peiris 161, Nisham Mazahir 162,
Thanthirigoda 2 for 47)
ROYAL COLLEGE 
1st Innings
KAVISHKA DE SILVAst. Weerawardene  b. Pussegolle  	 5
DIREN WARNAKULASURIYAc. Nugawela b. Fernando            15
FEROZE AHAMEDc. Pussegolla b. Fernando  		11
MANEESHA THANTHIRIGODA c. Niroshan b. Fernando		 0
BANUKA RAJAPAKSE
c. Pussegolla b. De Silva 				28
KUSAL PERERA c. sub b. Mazahir   			22
CHARITH FERNANDO c. Nugawela b. Fernando 		 0
HAROON MOWJOOD  st. Weerawardene b. Fernando 		26
YASITH ABEYKOON c. Zaheer b Mazahir 			 4
LAKSITHA DE SILVA c. Walpita b.De Silva 		19
KANISHKA BOTEJU not out 				 8
EXTRAS: (7b, 8lb, 11 nb, 3w) 				29
TOTAL: all out 					       167
BATTING TIME: 62.3 overs, 261 mts.
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-40, 2-40, 3-40,
		 4-75, 5-106, 6-107, 
		 7-108, 8-117, 9-143, 
		 10-167.
BOWLING: De Silva 16-2-40-2; Walpita 6-0-36-0; Mazahir 9-2-24-2;
	 M. Fernando 17.3-7-23-5; Pussegolla 12-5-21-1; Zaheer 2-0-8-0.
ROYAL COLLEGE 
2nd Innings
KAVISHKA DE SILVA c. Weerawardene b. Walpita 		14
DIREN WARNAKULASURIYA c. Weerawardene b. Thahir 	54
HAROON MOWJOOD lbw b. Mazahir 				 4
KUSAL PERERA c. Thahir b. Mazahir   		         4
FEROZE AHAMED  run out    			         7  
BANUKA RAJAPAKSE c. Niroshan b. Mazahir 		24
CHARITH FERNANDO not out     			 	 4
MANEESHA THANTHIRIGODA not out       			 0
EXTRAS: (8b, 2lb, 1 nb, 2w)    				13                                                                                   
TOTAL: for 6 wkts at close                	       124
BATTING TIME: 49.4 overs, 206 mts.
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-30, 2-48, 3-54,
		 4-70, 5-112, 6-122
BOWLING: (to date) De Silva 7-0-14-0; Walpita 6-0-13-1; Fernando 9.4-3-28-0;
	 Mazahir 10-2-20-3; Pussegolla 10-0-21-0; Thahir 7-2-18-1.