Div.II Thomians could upset Div.I Servatians
It is most likely there would be a decision at the 117th big match between St. Servatius College and St. Thomas’ College, Matara, to be played at the Uyanwatta stadium from March 24-26. Most probably, at the early stages of the game, the wicket should favour the batsmen, while the spinners should have their say towards the end of the game.
St. Servatius who play in Division I, did not perform to expectations this season, to end 6th in their Group with 85.64 points, with a solitary win over Maris Stella College Negombo. While St. Thomas’ who play in Division II, topped their group with 107.360 points, with 4 outright wins over St. John’s College Jaffna, Debarawewa National School, Vidyartha College Kandy and Carey College Colombo to crow about.
The Thomians are just 1 win away from qualifying to join St. Servatius in Division I next season. Of the 16 games the Servatians played, they won 3, while the Thomians have won 9 from their 17 outings.
Thilan Prashan’s pace and accuracy would be the Servatian’s trump card, while the Thomians can boast of left-hand batsman Raminda Pravinath who has 2 double centuries against his name this season, and has passed the 1000 run mark. Right-arm off-spinner Hashin Dilman and left-arm spinner Pravin Madushan, who have captured over 80 wickets each, are capable of turning the game in the Thomians favour.
The Servatians are led by 2nd-year coloursman Isuru Udayanga with Sandaru Nethmina as his deputy. The team is strengthened by Sri Lanka Under-19 cap Thilan Prashan, while the final XI will be selected from Shasika Dulshan, Pushpitha Dilshan, Dineth Nethsara, Dilshan Maduranga, Ruvinda Rochana, Keshara Nuwantha, Supun Kavinda, Muditha Hashan, Pasindu Manupriya, Chalana Anuradha, Kavindu Dulakshitha, Imanka Madushan, Hirun Anjana, Dilakshana Kavinda, Shanaka Didulantha, Nethum Sahasra, Navin Sahith, Dinura Dilmin and Ashen Dinuththara.
The Servatian’s are coached by Priyantha Abeysekera who is assisted by Rasika Lakshantha. Nayanananda de Silva is the Master-in-Charge of the team.
Wicketkeeper and opening batsman Nipun Achalanka leads the Thomian XI, with Hashin Dilman as his deputy. The final XI will be selected from Praveen Madushan, Akila Thiwanka, Hasitha Suneth, Ishan Jayawardena, Hirantha Lakshan, Mihisal Amoda, Lahiru Gimhan, Lahiru Dilshan, Raminda Pravinath, Maleesha de Saram, Sandun Chaminda, Kavindu Ridmal, Gisanthika Jayaweera, Avindu Nimantha, Nimanthaka Bhashana, Shanjaya Maduranga, Sanchitha Gimhan, J.P. Harindu, Hirusha Jeewadith, Voshitha Amarasinghe, Sineth Dissanayaka, Sachira Rashmika and Nipun Ruchira.
The Thomian team is coached by Charith Palliyage with the assistance of Dumindu Hewapathirana and Dinusha Jayashanaka. W.M.A.D. Lakmal is Master-in-Charge of the Thomians.
The big match in Matara is the 3rd oldest in the island and has been played continuously since 1900. It is also known as the Battle of Ruhuna and Battle of Nilwala. St. Thomas’ have a 5-match lead in the series with 32 wins with Tharaka Dushantha leading them to victory in 2007, while the Servatians have won 27 games and not tasted victory for the past 46 years, since Nimal Munaweera led them to victory in 1971.
St. Thomas' College Seated L-R: Praveen Madushan, Tharusha Kavindya, Dumindu Hewapathirana (Assistant Coach), Charith Palliyage (Coach), Nipun Achalanka (Captain), W.M.A.D. Lakmal (Master-in-Charge), W.B. Piyathissa (Principal), Janath Mathangadeera (Prefect of Games), Hashin Dilman (Vice Captain), Dinusha Jayashanaka (Assistant Coach), Akila Thiwanka, Hasitha Suneth, Ishan Jayawardena Middle Row L-R: Hirantha Lakshan, Mihisal Amoda, Lahiru Gimhan, Lahiru Dilshan, Raminda Pravinath, Maleesha de Saram, Sandun Chaminda, Kavindu Ridmal, Gisanthika Jayaweera, Avindu Nimantha, Nimanthaka Bhashana Top Row L-R: Shanjaya Maduranga, Sanchitha Gimhan, J.P. Harindu, Hirusha Jeewadith, Voshitha Amarasinghe, Sineth Dissanayaka, Sachira Rashmika, Nipun Ruchira
St. Servatius College Seated L-R: Priyantha Abeysekera (Coach), Charith Harshana, Nayanananda de Silva (Master-in-Charge), Isuru Udayanga (Captain), Munidasa Rathnasekera (Principal), Thilan Prashan, H.G.D.N. Amarathunga (Vice Principal), D.D.A. Wijesinghe (Vice Principal – Sports), Sandaru Nethmina (Vice Captain), Rasika Lakshantha (Assistant Coach) Middle Row L-R: Shasika Dulshan, Pushpitha Dilshan, Dineth Nethsara, Dilshan Maduranga, Ruvinda Rochana, Keshara Nuwantha, Supun Kavinda, Muditha Hashan, Pasindu Manupriya, Chalana Anuradha Top Row L-R: Kavindu Dulakshitha, Imanka Madushan, Hirun Anjana, Dilakshana Kavinda, Shanaka Didulantha, Nethum Sahasra, Navin Sahith, Dinura Dilmin, Ashen Dinuththara