Harking back at the Royal victory
View(s):The aggressive approach of Rhonaka Ahangamage with a run a ball 40 laid the foundation of the Royal innings to surpass the Thomian total of 192 with ease. Comparatively the slow approach of Sampath Silva and Hashan Ramanayake who followed, steadied the innings but failed to add 30 more runs to the score without undue risks.
Royal won the 134th Battle of the Blues by 7 wickets. - File pic
It was finally left to the reliable pair of Milan Abeysekera and Poorna Aluthge to beat the rain with some aggressive batting to gain a 62 run lead by the end of play (due to rain) by 3.30 p.m. The Thomian bowling could not penetrate the strong Royal batting batting line although Kularatne was impressive. Mush was expected of Ravichandrakumar but the wicket gave no help to spinners and Royal played the bowling on its merits.
Royal captain Pathmanadan, with prediction of rain even on the third day had only one choice if he wanted his side towin and that was to declare at the overnight score and sensibly made the decision only after playing times were decided on the third day Royal would have made their game plans overnight to take ten Thomian wickets in the shortest possible time with a minimum lead and to score the required runs before the expected rain by 2 p.m. This was a daunting task by any standard of cricket not withstanding the famous Thomian grit.
I am sure a majority expected a tame draw with rains coming down by early afternoon and the Thomians, I am sure prayed for the same.
Royal had other ideas and prayed for no rain and executed their overnight plans with precision. Highlight of his plan was taking the highest score of the first innings, the aggressive Devinda Jayasinghe with a well set trap to be caught by Ahangmage at square leg off Ramanayake well inside the boundary. After Ramanayake had done the early damage with two wickets, the first innings hero Karunaratne came into action with two quick wickets to break a 38 run partnership, to have the Thomians fighting at 63 for 4.
Then came a piece of individual brilliance by Harith Samarasinghe as a fielder to execute a direct hit aiming at a single stump from extra cover to beatthe most accomplished Thomian batsman Sumanasiri who was struggling on all fours. Instinct to pick a deflection from another fielder and quick reflexes to aim and throw at the correct end in a flash says volumes of his skill. This lifted the Royal commitment. This crucial wicket exposed the Thomian tail and lifted the Royal team and their supporters enabling Karunaratne and off spinner Poorna Aluthge to pick up the next three wickets cheaply. A 60 ball stubborn partnership for the ninth wicket (reminding the Thomian grit of Halangoda and CPP Richard at the Centenary match) was broken by Samarasinghe, bowling stubborn Wijesinghe, leaving the fighting de Mel with the last man.
Final rights of Thomians were performed when the alert Royal fielders ran out de Mel who was attempting to complete his hard earned half century. Former Royal all-rounder young Feroz Ahamed giving commentaries echoed, perhaps, through his personal experiences, that Big Matches are won not on batting and bowling but on good fielding – a parallel to the Royal victory in 2006 and Thomian wins of 2005 and2007.
Executing three run outs, holding on to most of the catches which came their way and restricting many runs on the field, made a direct contribution to the Royal victory.
Royal’s eager wish to finish off early cost them three wickets in getting the required 62 runs to complete an emphatic win by outplaying the wondering Thomians in all departments. This was possible due to the bowling ofChamika Karunaratne, all-round team contribution, committed captaincy and outstanding fielding.
The Thomians led by Bongso should be applauded for playing the game in the correctspirit and taking up defeat sportingly. Spectators and match management deserve praise although they were caught off guard of spectators enjoying the wet covers. Last but not least the Main Sponsors Etisalat andother sponsors and contributors must be remembered with thanks and gratitude.
May the spirit in which this famous cricketing encounter is played on and of the field grow from strength to strength
A Cricket Fan from
Colombo
Follow @timesonlinelk
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