Beating the Thomians and rain
Ex. Senior Master in Charge – Cricket & Premier Umpire & Match Referee, Sri Lanka Cricket
The 134th Battle of the Blues in 2013 will go down in the history of this great series as the match in which Royal beat rain before the Thomians. The match was curtailed by heavy rain which saw the loss of almost three sessions.
Royal outclassed S. Thomas’ last year. - File pic
Having opted to field first, Royalists threw their major trump at the Thomians in the form of versatile craftsman Chamika Karunaratne whose speed and swing mesmerized the Thomians. Above all crucial and deciding moments were the lightning throws of two brilliant Royal fielders Devind Pathmanathan and Harith Samarasinghe which accounted for two Thomian wickets. Specific mention should be made of the 5th Thomian wicket in the second innings of Thilaksha Sumanasiri more or less the most accomplished Thomian batsman, being run out by Harith Samarasinghe.
It was the end of any hope of rain or the famous Thomian grit to saving match. Sumanasiri incidentally during the season scored heavily whilst earning top honours as a leading batsman of the Under 19 Sri Lanka team for the World Cup 2014.
Swashbuckling batting of Roanaka Ahangama and Milan Abeysekara helped by a steady knock of a half a century by Lanky Sampath de Silva provided the much needed back drop for Royal Captain Devind Pathmanathan to make a challenging declaration to lead Royal to a scintillating victory the following day.
This famous Royal victory was mainly achieved through solid team effort which goes to prove the importance of alert fielding, fighting qualities and positive thinking contribute to achieving a positive result which was considered impossible by the specialists during most sessions of play mainly due to bad weather conditions. The experience derived and the outcome of this match would serve as a pathfinder learning curve to all 22 players of the two teams highlighting to how valuable ingredients of commitment, dedication and adherence to fundamentals could overcome odds and challenges faced.
Royal this year under the inspiring leadership of last year’s bowling hero Chamika Karunaratne is shaping up well to meet the Thomian challenge for a possible repeat of last year’s glorious victory. Unusually poor form of top order batting of Royal this season need to be overcome to put ensure last year’s heroics and exert pressure on the gritty Thomians at the 135th Battle of the Blues. The batting limitations could be amply compensated by the exponents handling the bowling department as the attack is resplendent with the variety and penetration to scalp 20 Thomian wickets within the three day time frame.
Whatever the outcome, Thomians and Royalists of all ages will look forward to a good game of cricket thus providing entertainment for all and sundry, who would be at the SSC to cheer their respective teams. We should never forget the golden uncertainties of this glorious game which had provided so much entertainment for the wonderful crowds who are at hand to witness the games over the years. We all know that a match is not won until the last wicket is taken or the final run is scored and the 134 year history of this great encounters prove this fact beyond a doubt. May the best team on their day be victorious and etch their names in Golden (or is it in Blue and Gold) lettering to be cherished by future generations over the years.
Our best wishes and felicitations are conveyed to the members of both teams, the Principal, the Warden, Masters-in-Charge and the Coaches. From the moment the umpires call “Play” may it be another humdinger which we will go into the record books as one of the best ever Royal-Thomian matches played over the years.