Thomians out to retain Mustangs Trophy

S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia which came up with a gallant display to force a draw in the 130th Battle of the Blues will go all out to retain the Mustangs Trophy for the fifth successive year when they confront traditional rivals Royal in their 34th limited over match which will be worked off at SSC grounds on March 21 (Saturday).

Last year the Thomians edged out Royal by two wickets in a close game and they will strive to make it five in a row by overcoming the Royalists in this year’s match.

The series tally stands at 16 each with the 2002 match ending in a tie.

Fielding plays a vital role in limited over cricket and the Thomians with their excellent fielding should have a distinct advantage over the Royalists whose catching and ground fielding left much to be desired in the Big Match.

The batting sparkle for Royal will be provided by big match centurion Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Kithruwan Vithanage, Sahan Hettiarachchi and Haroom Mowjood (who scored a half century in last year’s limited over match).

Big match saviour Faheem Saleem, centurion Ravindranath Nirushan, Chamod Pathirana, Chamal Fonseka, young Sachin Peiris and Lalindra Peiris will be relied upon to make sizeable contributions for S. Thomas’.

Royalist Heshan Morawaka (106) in 2004 holds the record for the highest individual score while Thomian Kapila Wijegunawardena (6/21) in 1982 registered the best bowling performance in the series.