Royal turn tables over Thomians at the ‘Big Game’ in Toronto
View(s):The annual cricket match between old boys of Royal College and S. Thomas’ dubbed the ‘Big Game’ for Sri Lanka Cricket in Toronto has brought a large number of Lankan expatriates together in friendly rivalry at Mississauga in Ontario, Canada recently.
Royalists turned the tables on Thomians this year in their annual cricket encounter with an emphatic 50 run win after a decade of starving for a victory.
In the process they hit the series one of the highest scores of 281 for 8 wickets in their allotted 40 overs with old Royalist Oshan Fernando smashing a whirlwind 55 and Eshan Jayawardane 42.
Rohan Jayasekera a former Sri Lankan Test and ODI Cricketer who also played for Canada chipped in with 38 giving a solid start for old Royalists.
Veeshama Thanga bowled best for Thomians claiming 5 for 51 with a hat-trick for the first time in the series.
Thomians in reply were bowled out for 181 in 36 overs with Shantha Jayasekera, Rohan’s brother top scoring with 79.Meeshan Rajakaruna made 37. They lost the match by 50 runs.
Old Royalist Oshan Fernando was adjudged Man-of-the-Match while old Thomian Shantha Jayasekera received the award for the Best Batsman.
Veeshama Thanga of S. Thomas’ was adjudged the Best Bowler while old Royalist Charitha Sirimanna received the award for the Best Fielder.
The victorious Royal College Old Boys claiming the trophy
Charitha Sirimanne was adjudged the Best Fielder