Lions taking aim, but will Eagles fly away this time ?
The battle-lines have been drawn for the 98th Trinity-Antonian big match encounter to be played at Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy on March 14 and 15 between a powerful all-round side and another which has been through turmoil.
The differences between the teams this season are clear. Trinity has six wins (rain prevented a seventh), while St. Anthony’s have none. Trinity lost once and the Antonians twice.
Trinity team
Three batsmen have made hundreds for the Lions. The Eagles have only one century-maker. Sayer has passed the hundred-wicket mark, whereas the best Antonian bowler is a long way behind.
There is, however, a glimmer of hope for the Katugastota lads. Trinity’s form in their last two games (one of which they lost) has been below par. It could be a case of burn-out or mental fatigue. Can the Antonians capitalise on that?
The 2013 match was dominated by Trinity, but the loss of a lot of playing time possibly deprived them of a win. 2012 saw Trinity pull off a last over win which could have been prevented by the Antonian last pair.
Trinity’s skipper Ron Chandragupta – an attacking left hander – is a bit slow to start off with. Once into his stride, he provided runs in abundance. His best is 106, but knocks of 80 not out against Isipathana and Royal and 98 against Wesley will give him more satisfaction.
Nushan Weerasinghe (122 vs. Mahinda) and Kaveen Hiniduma (121 vs. Isipathana) stand out in a strong, and deep, batting line up. Left-hander Arjuna Jayasinghe (five half centuries) could be another stumbling-block. Madhawa Munaweera and Chatura Jayasundara have made runs regularly. Left-armer Charith Sudaraka has also joined the party with two fifties.
In the absence of Lakshan Jayasinghe, Trinity’s bowling has been mostly about Raveen Sayer. A 100 plus wickets, 10 wickets or more thrice, 5 or more in an innings ten times and numerous four wicket hauls make him a bowler to be feared. Latterly, though productive, he has gone for plenty.
St.Anthony's Kandy team
Sudaraka has been a good foil with three 5-wicket hauls and a best of 6 for 26. Left-arm pacie Amrit Sri Mahan started off with a 5 for 10, but has generally been disappointing. Undoubtedly, Trinity will be much stronger with the return of Sri Lanka Under-19 player Lakshan Jayasinghe. Keeping the spin attack at bay will be the biggest worry for the Antonians. Trinity has six outright wins, five first innings wins, an outright loss, four first innings losses and a no decision.
The Antonian batting has potential but it has seldom been realised. Skipper Nimesha Gunasinghe (top score of 66 vs. Wesley) has made five fifties but has failed to produce the defining knock. He may be a victim of his aggression and desire to dominate.
Hard-hitting opener Pulasthi Bandara (3 fifties), fellow opener Kanishka Ukgalpaya (127 vs. Nalanda and 61 vs. Royal), dogged, small-made Mohamed Alfer (2 fifties) and Damita Panaditharatne (top score of 76 vs. Wesley) can all wield the willow well. But they will have to handle a lot of pressure. Vice captain Buveneka Wijetunga and Dilan Bandara add strength to the middle order.
The Antonians are short on pace, and depend on an array of spinners. Skipper Gunasinghe has two five wicket bags with his off-spin. Dilan Bandara (6 for 67 vs. St. Peter’s), Wijetunga (5 for 64 vs. Mahanama), left-armer Uditha Mahindaratne (5 for 75 vs. Royal) and leggie Kavinda Udapola (7 for 75 vs St. Benedict’s) compose the spinners’ lineup.
The Antonians have no outright wins, four first innings wins, two losses, six first innings losses and three no decisions. Read into it what you will, but the Antonians have first innings wins over D.S. Senanayake, Ananda and Royal whereas Trinity lost to D.S. Senanayake and Ananda on first innings and outright to Royal.
Trinity: Ron Chandragupta (Capt), Amrit Sri Mahan, Lakshan Jayasinghe, Raveen Sayer, Arjuna Jayasinghe, Nushan Weerasinghe, Charith Sudaraka, Kaveen Hiniduma, Madhawa Munaweera, Chatura Jayasundara, Naveen Ekanayake, Pramodya Abeykoon, Sangeeth Shanmuganathan, Pubudu Samarasinghe, Sadindu Amarasinghe, Lahiru Kumara, Dumindu Tillekeratne.
Officials: Sampath Perera (Coach), A.B. Jayasinghe (MIC), Lakshman Somasinghe (POG).
St. Anthony’s: Nimesha Gunasinghe (Capt), Buvaneka Wijetunga, Damitra Panaditharatne, Dilan Bandara, Pulasthi Bandara, Kavinda Udapola, Kanishka Ukgalpaya, Uditha Mahindaratne, Mohamed Alfer, Janindu Hinsara, Vinod Dhananjaya, Kavindu Yapa Bandara, Dilanka Wijeratne, Dilan Jayalath, Pabod Bandara.
Officials: Tharaka Gunaratne (Coach), G. Wickremanayake (MIC), Fr. Araliya Jayasundera (POG).