Vidyartha favourites, but Sylvestrians are spoilers
St. Sylvester's College Team
Six of one, half a dozen of the other, the match-up is quite intriguing. Vidyartha has six wins, the Sylvestrians have none. St. Sylvester’s lost to the Josephians, but Vidyartha have not lost any. It all boils down to the divisions in which they play.
St. Sylvester’s have clung on to Division I status, at times perilously. Yet they meet tougher opposition and are the better for it. The upshot of it all is that however well Vidyartha play, the Sylvestrians invariably steal a march over them. Last year, Vidyartha having scored around 230, were sitting pretty. But Manoharan Pavitran (this year’s skipper) stuck a dedicated hundred and the Sylvestrians took the lead.
Vidyartha have in Medunaka Wijetilleka, a player who has scored two hundreds. For good measure, he also has a couple of fifties. He has another string to his bow. He is the side’s leading spinner.
Isuru Prabodha, the skipper, a tall, aggressive striker of the ball has been in the wars. A 76 against Kingswood promised much but the runs suddenly dried up.
Kasun Karunatilleka, a genuine allrounder, has done more with the ball than with the bat. An adhesive player, the opponents will have to remove him soon.
Senior player Chaturanga Dilshan has come good with 86 (Holy Cross) and another fifty. It’s dangerous to take chances when the ball is hit near him. Nimshan will testify to that as Dilshan ran him out when he was nearing a hundred.
Generally, Vidyaratha has not been short of runs as they bat deep. Wicketkeeper Kavishka Tennekoon has provided useful runs. Paceman Duminda Imantha has a 58 and a 76 to his credit. Navod Dilshika is another player who can contribute with the bat.
Opening bowlers Duminda Imantha and Ishan Sangeeth cleaned up the Matale Thomions with figures of 5-34 and 4-18 respectively. The second left arm tweaker in the side, Aditya Bandara, has, at times, returned sensational figures. For example, 7-26, 5-36, 7/35 and another seven against Holy Cross.
Karunathilleka is a tight off spinner who doesn’t give much away. One suspects that the bulk of the bowling will be done by Karunathilleka, Wijetilleka and Aditya Bandara.
With the present dry conditions, the wicket will be a slow turner. Vidyartha wouldn’t mind that as they are well stocked with spinners.
Vidyartha would do well to see the back of the Sylvestrian skipper early. Pavithran has good technique and the temperament for the long haul. What is pleasing about his batting is that he likes to use his feet. He has a best of 92 against Mahanama.
Nadeera Balasuriya is one of the best players in the side. A left-hander who likes to attack the bowling, he has five fifties under his belt. As an off-spinner he had a match-bag of 8-108.
Pasan Hettiarachchi, a medium pacie, has some starting figures – notably, 6-11 (St. Anne’s) 7-48 (Devapathiraja) and 5-31 (Kingswood).
Last year’s captain Avidu Herath provides the experience. His 74 (Maliyadeva) and 64 (Kingswood) were good efforts. But the team will demand a bigger contribution from him.
Chandula Jayakodi and Kevin Nimshan are the side’s centurions. Nimshan mode 140 against Mahinda and 50 against Devapathiraja. But he should have scored more.
The other opener Chandula Jayakodi started the season well enough but then lost form. He returned from the wilderness with a punishing 131. He is striking the ball well at the moment and looks a good bet for the big one.
Left-arm spinner Husindu Missanka is a wicket-taker. But he can be tighter in line and length. The skipper bowls fairly decent leg spin. Youngster Chanith Rajaguru made 71 not out in the Maliyadeva match in bowling, he has a four for four. He is a player for the future.
Teams
St. Sylvester’s (from): Manoharan Pavitran (Capt), Chandula Jayakodi, Avidu Herath, Nadeera Balasuirya, Husindu Nissanka, Kevin Nimshan, Pasan Hettiarachchi, Nishantha Indrajith, Charith Rajaguru, Kasun Edirithilleka, Chandrababu Hiroshan, Kanishka Jayasekera, Mohamed Reeza, Maleesha de Silva, Sabeer Ahamed, Abishek Kumara
Officials: Krishantha Gunawardena (Coach), Palinda Silva (MIC)
Vidyaratha (from): Isuru Prabodha (Capt), Kasun Karunathilleka, Chaturanga Dilshan, Medunaka Wijetilleka, Kavishka Tennekoon, Aditiya Bandara, Duminda Imantha, Ishan Sangeeth, Navod Dilshika, Shamal Priyabashana, Chamodya Pabasara, Dilan Sandeep, Eranga Bandara, Chatura Madushanka, Avishka Weerasuriya, Anjula Kasun, Kumeditha Bandara
Officials: Eranga Gangoda, Namal Perera (Coaches), Lalith Ranjana (MIC)