Battle of the Saints begins today

YASARATNE GAMAGE

The school big match season will be more colorful this month when the Saints, St Joseph's College and St Peter's College get on to field to battle for supremacy at the 78th battle of the Saints for the Fr M J Le Goc Memorial Trophy at P Saravanamuththu Stadium today and tomorrow.

The two Fernandos, Peterite skipper Shehan and Josephian's Vidusha have to come up with something different this year to quest the two year long thirst of the fans of the both schools.

St Joseph's College recorded their last win in 2008 when Ruwantha Fernandopulle guided his team towards an outright win of an innings and 42 runs. In 2009, the match was drawn but Peterites took revenge in 2010 when Chatura Peiris led Peterites to a 10 wicket victory. Both teams had equal honours again last year.

This year too the 60 overs limitation in the first innings continues which has already made the game a competitive entertaining and result-oriented one since its introduction twelve years ago. The second innings is played as usual without any restrictions.

The big match history record shows 12 wins for the Joes and eight in favour od Peterites in the 78-year 'big match' series.

The Peterites will open with their top gun, skipper and opener Shehan Fernando who has topped the 1,000 run mark this season with two centuries and seven 50's. Skipper Shehan, partnered by Shaseen Fernando who possess a record of 800 more runs inclusive of a century and six fifties will be looking to set up a good partnership this year.

Wicket-keeper Lahiru Milantha is also equipped with 800-runs with three hundreds will also be a key player. Peterite left-arm leg-spinner Julien de Silva who has captured over 70 wickets, opening bowler Ranitha Liyanaarachchi (35 wickets) and spinner Dushan Hemantha are their promising bowlers.

The Petes have played 16 matches this season and have defeated Wesley, Dharmapala and St. Aloysius outright but they lost to Prince of Wales.

On the other hand, Josephians have remained unbeaten in the season with the help of balanced bat and ball contributions. The Joes' skipper wicket-keeper and opening batsman Vidusha Fernando has led his side well this season, scoring over 550 runs with a century against St. Sebastian's, Moratuwa. He will be partnered by Dylon Fernandopulle and followed by number three Sadeera Samarawickrema who has been the top scorer, getting over 700 runs including a century.

Sachin Hewawasam strengthen the middle order while bowlers Asiri Supekshala, Priyamal Perera, Yashan Samarasinghe and Fabian Fernando all capable use their bats.

The ball-by-ball commentries of the match could be heard on radio on FM 95.6Mhz (Friday) and FM 87.6Mhz (Saturday) on Sports Channel.