Trinity have the edge over Antonians

S M Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy Sports Corr

Trinity College, Kandy should chalk up a win unless St Anthony's College creates an upset in their 31st limited over clash for the Sir Richard Aluwihare Trophy which will be played at the Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy on March 18 (Friday) commencing at 9.3 am. This match was earlier scheduled to be played on March 19 and has been advanced by a day.

Trinitians have a stronger side in both batting and bowling have scored 10 outright wins this season but the Antonians have the potential to turn the tables. Last year too the Lions went as favourites by performance but the Eagles won the clash by a fairly big margin. Thus the outcome of this match between two traditional rivals will hang in balance till the last ball is bowled.

Of the 30 matches played to-date, the Antonians are in the lead with 14 wins against 13 by the Lions. Two matches had been abandoned due to rain.

Trinitians are the present holders of the trophy. Though the Antonians built up a lead earlier in the series, but the Lions closed the gap in recent years.

Trinity College (from): Akila Jayasundara (Captain), Niroshan Dickwella (Vice Captain), Kavinda Jayasuriya, Janishka Premasinghe, Aamil Anas, Heshan Wanniarachchi, Tissa Sanjeewa Bandara, Alwin Fernando, Keheliya Athugoda, Rajitha Jayatunga, Dinuk Wickramanayake, Ron Chandragupta, Lakshitha Dissanayake, Amrith Srimahan, Bhagya Palihawadana.

St Anthony's College (from): Hiran Wickremasekara (Captain), Arvinda Premaratne (Vice captain), Manoj Sarathchandra, Kanishka Ranaraja, Yohan Woods, Aruna Bandara, Pulasthi de Silva, Saranga Rajaguru, Thushan Hettige, Dinuk Herath, Tharaka Jayasinghe, Nimesha Gunasinghe, Romesh Mackwin, Himesh Kodithuwakku, Bhathiya Liyanage, Madushan Pusswella.