Could Vidyartha break the jinx
The 60th Big Match between St. Sylvester’s and Vidyartha at the Pallekele Stadium, affords the latter an opportunity to register a win after a lapse of 50 years. The last Vidyartha victory came in 1967, under R.M. Lafir. This match was not played for about 8 years, in the 1970s, because of an unfortunate incident in 1973.
Vidyartha captained by big-made Pulina Gunatilleka are unbeaten. They have outright wins over Revata, Horana Taxila and Sri Jayewardenepura MV. The fact that 5 of the players have played together over the last 4 years, is the reason for their standing.
The Captain, a hard hitting left-hander, made a century against S. de S. Jayasinghe MMV and 61 against Devananda. Gunatillaka likes to attack the bowlers. Ravindika Upananda, a 6th-year player and last year’s skipper, is a key batsman who has scored unbeaten 100s against Sri Jayewardenepura and Taxila. He also has twin 50s against Royal Panadura. Upananda opens the bowling and has picked up important wickets.
Isuru Prabodha, a tall, aggressive left-hander, tops the batting with 644 runs. He can do a lot of damage with his attacking style of play. He has four 50s with a best of 83.
Chaturanga Dilshan, a senior player, has not had many chances. However, he made a 50 in a crucial game and also bagged a five for. He probably, is the best fielder in the team.
Vidyartha is lucky in that, their two spinners, who have taken the bulk of the wickets, are also good batsmen. Off-spinner Kasun Karunatilleka, who has made three 50s, has a best of 76 against the Katugastota Anthonians. He has 3 five-fors.
Sixteen-year-old Madunaka Wijetilleka, who is in his first full season, has been a revelation. Five wickets twice and the most number of wickets (44) are his achievements.
Left arm pacie Ishan Sandeep is quite lively and makes the batsmen hurry. He had a five-for against Sri Jayewardenepura.
Vidyartha has a new coach in Champika Siriwardena, a contemporary of Muttiah Muralitharan, has encouraged the lads to assert themselves. This has paid dividends.
It would not be far off the mark to say that the Sylvestrians have had a poor season. They failed to win a match, and lost to Lumbini, Mahinda and Dharmaraja. Further, no batsmen were able to score a century.
Avindu Herath’s side has many talented players but, have failed to put it all together when it matters. They scored 308 against Ananda, but the home team passed that tally with ease. They also made 301-8 against Zahira.
Individually, they have a few outstanding performances. Pacie Nimsara Attanagalle took 6-44 (vs S. Thomas’) 5-57 (vs De Mazenod) and 7-43 (vs Dharmaraja). Nirmalan Pavitran had a 10-wicket haul against Zahira. Pasan Hettiarachchi’s 6 for 14 vs Lumbini was a great piece of bowling.
Avindu Herath has made some runs but has fallen short of expectations. His top score is 64 (vs Mahanama) and has two other 50s. But he may rate his knocks of 44 and 33 against the Josephians as being better. He is also the stumper of the side.
Attanagalla, in addition to his success with the ball, has made several useful scores – 48, 44, 42, 37, 32. Manjith Rajapakse, a good striker of the ball, has disappointed and failed to top 50.
One of the success stories is that of all-rounder Nirmalan Pavitran. He top-scored with 85 against Ananda, made 75 (vs Zahira) and 56 (vs Maliyadeva), and has rescued the middle order many a time.
Left arm spinner Husindu Nissanka (best of 5/30) has kept chipping away. He tends to send down a few loose deliveries, which has eased the pressure.
If Vidyartha thinks they have only to turn up to win, that would be a miscalculation. Traditionally, the Sylvestrians play a hard, attritional game, especially when the chips are down. They will not give their wickets away easily in the Big Match. Further, the relevant point is that as an ‘A’ Division side, they have faced tougher opposition.
Coach Jaliya Weerasinghe would be happy with a good performance, given the state of play.
St. Sylvester’s: Avindu Herath (Captain), Nimsara Attanagalle, Nirmalan Pavitran, Pasan Hettiarachchi, Manjith Rajapakse, Hasindu Nissanka, Abishek Isuranga, Kasun Ediritilleka, Abishek Kumar, Nadeera Balasuriya, Kanishka Jayasekara, Pasindu Jayakody, Chandula Jayakody, Chandrababu Hiroshan, Sadeepa Halangoda, Pasan Waduge
Coach: Jaliya Weerasinghe – Master-in-Charge: Pasindu Silva
Vidyartha: Pulinga Gunatilleka (Capt), Ravishka Upananda, Chatinanga Dilshan, Kasun Karunatilleka, Isuru Prabodha, Medunaka Wijetilleka, Shamal Priyadarshana, Dumindu Imash, Ishan Sandeep, Gihan Jayasekera, Tharindu Mahagedera, Kavishka Dilhara, Sahan Siriwardena, Chintaka Bandara, Hasitha Mapalagama, Aditya Bandara
Coach: Champika Siriwardena – Master-in-Charge: P.C.A. Ranjan