Former Saints reunite as cricketers of 1990s set for a Joe-Pete clash
With the big match season drawing to an end, it seems apt that the Josephian and Peterite cricketers of the 1990 First XI teams has finalised arrangements to challenge each other in a twenty five over encounter on the quarter century anniversary of their departure from school.
The arch rivals are set to square off in this first ever challenge on April 10 at St. Joseph’s ground in Darley Road where the Peterites will look to settle an old score. The match will commence from 1.00 pm onwards.
Both the Josephian and Peterite sides of 1990 boast impressive season records. The Josephian squad of 1990 in that year played 12 matches of which they had three outright victories against Royal, S. Thomas’ and Wesley.
It was the first time in 45 years that the Joes had won against both Royal and S. Thomas’ College in the same season (1990). Moreover, the team was unfortunate that three of their matches were washed out and therefore no result could be drawn. Apart from that they were triumphant at the Joe-Pete limited over encounter that year.
Viran Perera, Viraj Malawana and Oril de Mel were adjudged the as the best batsman, best bowler and all-rounder respectively for their outstanding performances during the season while Sri Lanka’s most successful and famed bowler Chaminda Vaas was also a member of the squad.
The Peterites in their season played 15 matches altogether in their season and secured 8 victories. The highest run-getter was Rukshan Dias scoring 993 runs whilst the highest wicket taker for the season was Niranjan Dabare scalping 62 victims with his off spinners whilst skipper Indunil Anthony had 60 victims behind the stumps.
The much anticipated quarter century re-match will be a grand celebration with a get-together and social to follow. The current Rectors of both schools, who incidentally were both serving in the capacity of the ‘Prefect of Games’ 25 years ago for the opposing schools respectively will grace as joint chief guests at the closing ceremony.
The Josephian Squad: Oril de Mel (Capt),Viran Perera, Krishan Tillekeratne, Nigel Isaacs, Angelo Ranasinghe, Chaminda Vaas, Viraj Malawana, Dyan Morris, Harsha De Silva, Shehan Daniels, Niranjala Rodrigo, Sudantha Fernando, Gihan Fernando, Peter Hamer, Roshan Manikkavasager.
The Peterite Squad: Indunil Anthony (Capt), Roshan Anthony, Asanga Perera, Denish Kakulthota, Niranjan Dabare, Riaz Farouk, Anjelo Rajaratnam, Mario Villavarayan, Russel Arnold, Reynor Silva, Chrishan David, Shane Petersz, Tressel Silva, Sherby Van Heer, Laksiri Rodrigo Dishan Fernando, Renuka Nonis.