Teams equally balanced – can’t expect positive results
The cricket crazy town of Moratuwa will come alive again when the much looked-forward to big match between the two leading cricket playing schools in the area St. Sebastian’s and Prince of Wales take place on March 10 and 11 at De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa.
This is the 67th in the series and the Cambrians are leading with six wins against the three wins of Sebs. However this time out it’s even-stevens.
The last win in the series was achieved by St. Sebastian’s in 2011. It was a long standing hoodoo for either team. Neither was able to mark a win for 33 years. St. Sebastian’s also did so after their win in 1966 which was after 44 years.
On the other hand the last win in the two day series achieved by the Cambrians was in 1977 when the side was led by Pemlal Fernando so they have a 39 year hoodoo haunting them.
Looking at the performances of the Sebs have played 17 matches with two outright wins against Dharmapala and De Mazenod but has undergone two outright defeats to St Peter’s and Trinity while Prince of Wales from the 15 matches that they played have secured four outright wins against Dharmapala, Royal Colombo, Mahinda and Wesley but has undergone three outright defeats to Lumbini MV, Nalanda and Thurstan.
The Sebs this year is led by Sri Lanka youth player and third year coloursman Mishen Silva and though was able to represent his school only for eight matches due to his commitments with the Sri Lanka U19 national team that toured South Africa this year has scored two tons.
However the skipper has a host of players to guide his side in the batting department in the likes of Nimesh Bandara who skippered in his absence and ended the season scoring over 650 runs that includes a ton and is expected to be the mainstay in the Sebs batting.
Last year skipper Avishka Fernando is the most experience player of the side, a sixth year coloursman who led the Sri Lanka U19 team that toured South Africa this year and he too was not available for most part of the season but will be a batsman to take note of by the Cambrians.
The trouble maker for the Cambrians is going to be Tharusha Fernando who is the highest scorer of the side having scored over 800 runs with an unbeaten double ton against DSS as his best.
The other centurion of the side Damian de Buyzer who has scored over 450 runs along with Milantha Peiris (450), Tashik Perera (375) and Nuwanindu Fernando will be expected to make in their contributions to bolster the scoreboard.
The Sebs bowling department will be spearheaded by left arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrema another Sri Lanka youth player who too played only a few matches and he will be looking for support from Asher Warnakulasuriya, Tharusha and Nuwanindu Fernando, Tashik Perera and Vinuja Ranasinghe if he finds a place in the squad to curtail the opponents.
The Cambrians this year too will be led by a Sri Lanka youth player and third year coloursman Vishwa Chathuranga who is a fine bat and a player who was successful for the Sri Lanka 19 side in the Tri Nation and against South Africa U19’s. Vishwa too was able to play only eight matches but scored over 400 runs.
Deputy skipper Dilanka Maduranga who ended as the highest scorer of the side with over 700 runs along with last year skipper Thilan Nimesh who has made over 675 runs, Avindu Fernando over 600 runs, Sanoj Dharshika 600 runs, Sandun Fernando, Prince Fernando and Savindu Peiris are the other batsmen that the Cambrians will be looking forward for them to put up a challenging score.
The Cambrian bowling this season has been spearheaded by their spin trio comprising of left arm spinners Thilan Nimesh and Dilesh Nanayakkara and right arm spinner Savindu Peiris and no doubt they will have to combine with effect to curtail the strong Sebs batting.
The two day encounter will be followed with the 32nd limited over match due to be played on March 12 at the same venue. In this version the Sebs are leading with 15 wins to the 13 by the Cambrians with two matches being abandoned due to rain and one ending in a tie.
St. Sebastian’s -- Seated from left: Frank Cooray (Master in charge), Praveen Jayawickrama, Avishka Fernando, Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi (Rector), Mishen Silva (Capt), Rev. Fr. Priyan Tissera (Prefect of Games), Nimesh Bandara, Imal Boteju (Coach), Tharanga de Silva (Asst Coach) Middle row from left: Tashik Perera, Gihan Senanayake, Damien De Buyzer, Nuwanidu Fernando, Asher Warnakulasuriya, Malintha Peiris, Namoshka de Silva; Back row from left: Dulaj Silva, Praveen Cooray, Prashein Fernando, Nishitha Abilash, Vinuja Ranasinghe, Tharwha Fernando
Prince of Wales -- Seated from left: Kushan Jayawickrama (Senior Coach), Thilan Nimesh, Santha Rodrigo (MIC), Vishva Chaturanga (Capt), K.J. Fernando (Principal), Dilanka Maduranga, Priyantha Welaratne (POG), Kalpa Fernando (Asst Coach); Middle row from left: Dewaka Ishara, Prince Fernando, Suwath Mendis, Dilesh Nanayakkara, Avindu Fernando, Savindu Peiris, Sanoj Dharshika, Danushka Fernando, Sanjaya Fernando; Top row from left: Sandun Fernando, Kaumal Nanayakkara, Tharuka Fernando, Shehan Avishka