Isipathana hold the edge over arch rivals Thurstan
Seated from left: Ayeth Weeratne, Kasun Abeyratne, Lakshan Gunathilleke (Vice Presidnet), Charana Nanayakkara (Captain), E.M.S. Ekanayake (Principal), Sajith Gunathilleke (Vice Captain), Suneth Gunathilleke (Coach), Nipun Lakshan Standing from left: Salindha Samaranayake, Prageesh Mendis, Thisera Deshan, Imesh Viranga, Yeshan Wickramarachchi, Isitha Wijesundara, Dilan Madusanka, Naveen Gunawardena, Navod Samarakone, Thusal Madusanka, Pansilu Deshan
Traditional rivals Thurstan and Isipathana will get on to the field for their big match which is looked forward to by the past and present of the two schools. The game is scheduled to be played on February 26 and 27 at the SSC ground starting from 9.30 .m., each day.
This will be the 53rd encounter in the series but it has produced only nine outright wins with Thurstan in the lead having won five and Isipathana just one short with four wins.
No result has been produced since 1999 when the Isipathanians came out winners under the leadership of Krishantha Jayawardena while Thurstan’s last win came seven years earlier in 1992 under the leadership of Mackenzie Perera and no doubt both teams will go all out to put their best steps forward with the aim of breaking the hoodoo.
The clash this time out is heavily in favour of Isipathana due to the fact that they have been playing with success despite losing two of their top players in skipper Salinda Ushan and Vishad Randika who were on national duty representing the Sri Lanka U19 at the recently concluded U19 World Cup held in Bangladesh.
Thurstan spearheaded by fourth year coloursman Charana Nanayakkara have played 14 matches securing five outright wins against Wesley, Mahanama Colombo, Royal Panadura,
Zahira and Maris Stella whilst gaining first inning wins over S. Thomas’, St Joseph’s, St Benedict’s and Mahinda but their unbeaten record was tarnished by Nalanda who beat them by innings.
Isipathana on the other hand anchored by fifth year coloursman Salinda Ushan are unbeaten having played 18 matches recording three outright wins against Anuradhapura Central, Holy Cross Kalutara and Dharmasoka MV Ambalangoda and securing 12 first inning wins against top teams in the likes of Royal, St Peter’s, Nalanda, Richmond and St Sebastian’s, Vidyartha, Gurukula MV Kelaniya, St Servatius Matara, St Aloysius Galle, Moratu MV, Lumbini MV and Bandaranayake MV Gampaha.
However the Thurstanites even though they posses three centurions in the side in skipper Charana, Nipun Lakshan and Isitha Wijesundara they lack the ammunition that their opponents have as none of their batsmen have been able to reach the 500 runs mark so far.
The highest is by deputy skipper Sajith Gunatilleke (473) followed by two other players Salinda Samaranayake (382), skipper Charana (334), Kasun Abeyratne (317) and Isitha Wijesundara (317), so it’s going to be a daunting task for them as the Isipathanians have top rated bowlers with whom they will have to deal.
Seated from left: Jayathu Nilaweera (Asst. Coach), Sanjula Abeywickrama, R.A.A. Ranasinghe (MIC), Pramod Madhuwantha, Premasiri Epa (Principal), Salinda Ushan (Captain), D.H. Priyankara (Vice Principal), Vishad Randika, Sanath Illeperuma, Pradeep Nishantha (Coach) Standing from left: Pathum Nissanka, Madushika Sandaruwan, Harsha Ratnayaka, Heshan Danushka, Neranjan Wanniarachchi, Lahiru Dilshan, Ayana Siriwardhana, Sanjula Bandara, Kaliq Amanath, Kalana Perera, Iwanka Sanjula, Dilsara Saminda
Sajith who opens the batting along with Kasun will have to give them a good start for the others to gain the confidence and skipper Charana who was a member of the Sri Lanka U19 World Cup team should use his experience with effect while there are also big responsibilities for the other two centurions Nipun and Isitha to see that Thurstan put up a challenging score.
The others from whom much will be expected are Salinda Samaranayake, Naveen Gunawardena, Ayesh Weeraratne and Imesh Viranga who all are capable of making useful contributions.
The bowling attack will revolve around skipper Charana who will take the new ball with the left arm pace and spin combination of Nipun and Naveen along with the two Madusanka’s, left and right arm spinners Dilan and Thushal who both have taken 86 wickets between them to support the trio.
Isipathana’s batting will no doubt be in the hands of left hand batsman Sanjula Abeywickrama who will be the cynosure of all eyes. Sanjula has been their most successful batsman having scored over 1200 runs which includes a double ton (204 n.o.) against Lumbini MV, four tons and five half tons, in fact he is only the second Isipathanian to reach the milestone of 1000 runs in a season.
Beside Sanjula they have another top batsman in deputy skipper Pramod who has scored over 850 runs inclusive of three tons and five half tons.
Pramod too is a player with experience having represented the Sri Lanka U19 team in the series against PakistanVishad Randika the other member of the Sri Lanka U19 World Cup squad will be the other batsman that the Thurstan bowlers will have to take note of along with Ayana Siriwardena who has made over 600 runs, Heshan Dhanushka over 550 runs, Kalana Perera over 400 runs and Pathum Nissanka who all could be a thorn in the flesh for the Thurstan bowlers.
The bowling will be spearheaded by their top wicket taker left arm spinner Lahiru Dilshan who has over 70 wickets to his credit and another left arm spinner in Iwanka Sanjula who taken over 60 wickets.
In fact the Isipathana bowling attack has been in the hands of their spinners with Pramod Maduwantha and Ayana Siriwardena while fresher right arm pacie Neranjan Wanniarachchi who has taken over 40 wickets too will have to make his contribution for Isipathana to curtail their Thurstan batting.
Nevertheless the two teams know that a win is needed and positive cricket is the need of the hour if they are to achieve that. So let us hope that the approach of the two teams will be based on a result oriented game and not be a repeat of last year with the match ending with the two sides an innings each over the two days.
The two share the records of the gig match with Isipathana’s debutant Saman Nishantha holding the best individual score of 150 n.o. made in 2002 and the best bowling figures is by Thurstan’s Jayajeewa Karunaratne who took 7 for 28 in 1992 in their last win.
The highest score of the series is 331 for 9 declared made by Thurstan in 2012 and the lowest of 56 by Isipathana way back in 1968.