The 52nd Big Match between St. Sylvester’s and Vidyartha has all the makings of a tedious draw when it gets underway next Friday at the Asgiriya Stadium.
Last year there was some confusion and controversy and the match ended in a bizarre note, with the batsmen out in the centre and the fielders absent in the dying minutes. The series tally stands at 12-3 in favour of the Sylvestrians.
Nuwan Nilantha, a fourth year, leads the Sylvestrians. A good bat, he’s gone over the 500 mark but has not got a century. His off spin has earned him around 30 wickets. Dananjaya Athauda is probably the pick of the all-rounders. A consistent wicket-taker, he has contributed with the bat.
Menuka Nanayakkara, Ruwantha Ekanayake, Kanishka Herath and Waruna Wijesinghe will be expected to provide the runs. A recent recruit, Dileepa Gayeshan is the leading run scorer. He has made a century. He is good fielder to boot.
Off spinner Dushan Malalasena carries the burden of the spin attack and with the opponents having many left handers, will have to bowl long spells. All in all, the Sylvestrian attack could find it difficult to bowl the opposition out twice, as the Vidyartha lads (not unlike the Sylvestrians) will strike to occupy the crease, come hell or high water.
Jirantha Dissanaike, a stocky left hander with 600 runs and four fifties, leads Vidyartha. Dissanaike, a great driver of the ball, has some experience, having played for Matale CC in the Sara Trophy competition.
Kasun Wijekoon, who made a big hundred against Trinity, is their best batsman. He also opens the attack. Sameera Abeyratne has been hampered by injury and has not realized his potential. Wicket keeper cum opener Ruwan Bandara has topped the 400 run mark while Dinusha Gunatilleke, who likes to strike the ball, has passed fifth thrice.
Vidyartha has some variety in their attack but one wonders how effective it will be against their opponents. Thilina Rupasena, an off spinner, who has taken 45 wickets could be a threat. Left armer Samitha Attanayake has been amongst the wickets. Keshan Gamage bowls leg spin but could be expensive.
The Sylvestrians lost quite a few games during the season, but got back to winning ways recently by defeating President’s College Rajagiriya. Vidyartha defeated Piliyandala Central outright but lost to St. Anthony’s and Gurukula.
St. Sylvester’s (From) Nuwan Nilantha (Capt), Dananjaya Athauda, Menuka Nanayakkara, Thivanka Gunaratne, Kanishka Herath, Dileepa Gayeshan, Anuradha Eriyagama, Niluka Kandaddarage, Ruwantha Ekanayake, Waruna Wijesinghe, Dushan Malalasena, Janith Herath, Kasun Wickremawardena, Suranga Yatigammana, Janitha Perera & Coach Tudor Gunaratne). |
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Vidyartha – Jirantha Dissanaike, Kasun Wijekoon, Sameera Abeyratne, Ruwan Bandara, Thilina Rupasena, Dinusha Gunatilleke, Samitha Attanayake, Tharindu Ranaweera, Chamil Chandrasiri, Keshan Gamage, Niluksha Galapitige, Devaka Abeyewardene, Kanishka Seneviratne, Indika Bandara, Chinthaka Deshapriya, Kasun Chaturanga. (Coach – Banduila Ranasinghe). |
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