46th Thurstan – Isipatana annual cricket encounter:

Isipatana go out favourites

Chinthana WASALA

Both teams are ready for battle when traditional rivals Thurstan – Isipatana meet in the 46th annual cricket encounter which starts today at the SSC ground Colombo for the Blackham Wijewardene Memorial Trophy.

Isipatana College: (Seated from left): Amila de Silva, L.L. Sisira Kumara (Master in charge), Gamini Sarachchandra (Prefect of games), Dr. K.A.D. Punyadasa (Prinsipal), Sakuntha Premarathne (Captain), Suranga Wijenayaka (Coach), Thiwanka Ranasinghe (Vice Captain). (Standing from left): Dimuth Warapitiya, Dimithri Perera, S. Sulochana, Chanaka Jayaneththi, Chamara Waduge, Nilusha Sasanka, Pranama Sri Vimukthi, Anushka Samarathunga. (Standing second row from left): Himas Gomes, Vikum De Costa, Harith Wanigarachchi, Madushan Zoysa, Rajitha Gayan

Thurstan College: (Seated from left): Ravindu Wijerathne, D.N. Gurudeniya (Master in charge), Chamalka Gamage (Vice Captain), Vimal Gunarathne (Principal), Indika Massalage (Captain), Dinesh Weerasinghe (Coach), Shihan Kamileen. (Standing from left): Javed Siyambalapitiya, Sahan Thushira, Sayuru Nimna, Ranishka Gamage, Nuwan Dharshana, Prabodha Arthavidu, Ishan Perera, Udaya Munasinghe, Charith Jayarathne, Supun Nawarathne, Thisura Madurapperuma.

Isipatana go out favourites this time to win the game according to their latest performances but they will have to face a tough Thurstanite outfit which can reach their best form at any time. Even though Thurstan leads the winning rate as they have won in five occasions against Isipatana’s four wins in the big match which is inaugurated in 1964. The big match has drawn in 35 occasions while it was not played once and since 1999, the big match has not seen a result.

Thurstan team will be led by Indika Massalage while Sakuntha Premaratne will be the Isipatana skipper.

Isipatana skipper Sakuntha Premarathne is in good form having two five wicket hauls against Prince of Wales College and St. Sebestian’s College with his leg spin bowling along with over 400 runs with the bat. Thiwanka Ranasinghe, his deputy will be a strong asset for their team as the right hand middle order batsman has scored over 500 runs including three half tons and over 20 wickets under his belt.

Big hope

Second year player Dimuth Warapitiya is also a big hope for the Isipatana outfit as he has scored over 650 runs this season, being in the best of form.

Isipatana have recorded victories over Mahanama College, Trinity College, St. Sebastian’s College, President’s College and Lumbini College this season. Thurstan skipper Indika Massalage, is a second year left hand hard hitting opening batsman. He has scored over 700 runs so far this season with a century and five half centuries with a brilliant knock of 111 against Maris Stella College Negombo being his best. The right arm medium pacer who has played in the U-19 Provincial team, has captured over 15 wickets so far with a best of 5 for 46 against St. Sebastian’s College.

Third year player

His deputy, Chamika Gamage who is a third year player will assist him with his best. The right hand middle oder batsman has scored over 300 runs while picking up 30 wickets with a matchbag of 10 against the strong Kingswood College team. He also has represented the U-19 Provincial team while Thurstanites Shehan Kamileen and Ravindu Wijeratne also played in the U-19 Provincial team.

They have defeated Maris Stella College by an innings and six runs and defeated Kingswood College by seven wickets and are very confident with the two day game under their coach Dinesh Weerasinghe.