Royal-Thomian clash for Mustangs Trophy on Saturday

Traditional rivals Royal and S. Thomas’ will clash for the 35th time in their limited over match for the Mustangs Trophy at the SSC grounds on March 20 (Saturday).

Royal are the holders of the trophy having won last year’s match by five wickets at the SSC grounds while Thomians last emerged victorious in 2008 by edging out Royal by two wickets at the P. Sara stadium.

Royal lead the series tally with 17 victories to 16 by S. Thomas’ with the 2002 game ending in a tie.

Left hander Ramith Rambukwella who scored a blistering 165 in 148 deliveries, will spearhead the batting sparkle for Royal, ably supported by Sri Lanka youth players Bhanuka Rajapakse, Kithruwan Vithanage and Chalaka Bogoda, Waruna Dissanayake and 15 year old Imal Liyanage.

Thomian skipper Dinesh Walpita (who took 4 for 51 in the Royal first innings and fellow paceman Chamod Pathirana are likely to trouble the Royal batsmen.

Pasan Wijewardena (who made a well compiled 99) and Nuwan Kavinda (who made an attractive 86 in the Big Match) should be among the runs for the Thomians along with skipper Dinesh Walpita, Ashen Fernando, Sachin Pieris and hard hitting Chamod Pathirana.Pacemen Bhanuka Rajapakse and Imran Khan are likely to keep the Thomian batsmen in check with their accurate bowling but the biggest problem will be posed by Royal’s left arm leg spinner Maneesha Thanth-rigoda who has captured 105 wickets this year (including 4 for 69 in the Thomian first innings). However Royal will have to give a much better display in fielding if they are to emerge victorious as their catching and ground fielding left much to be desired including several overthrows giving away valuable runs.