Big Match: Thomians strike back after collapse on Day 1

S. Thomas' College left-arm paceman Kalana Perera struck thrice after his side was forced to defend by a stiff Royal College side as the first day of the 139th Battle of the Blues ended with low scores at the SSC in Colombo today (9).

Put into bat first the Thomians struggled all the way before declaring at 166 for the loss of 9 wickets, but when stumps were drawn at 5.12pm due to bad light, Royal were fighting back hard at 33 for the loss of 3 wickets. 

All three wickets were claimed by Kalana Perera who ended with figures of 3 for 16 off 6 overs, inclusive of a maiden over. 

The Thomians, considered the favourites this year, however, faced an early slump and they failed to get back on track as expected after losing wickets regularly. 

The top scorer for them was wicketkeeper Sithara Hapuhinna, who confronted 51 deliveries to make 34 runs, inclusive of four boundaries. 

The next best known came from Manthila Wijeratne, who made 24 off 41 balls with four boundaries. 

Both Hapuhinna and Wijeratne were featured in the best partnership for the Thomians, which was 46 runs for the fifth wicket. 

Others failed to impress as expected as spinner Manula Perera stood above the rest among eight bowlers with a five-wicket haul.

He claimed 5 for 43 after operating 19 overs, inclusive of five maiden overs. 

Themal Bandara, Kamil Mishara and Kavindu Pathiratne claimed a wicket each.

The match will end on Sunday (11). 

S. Thomas' College 166 for 9 wickets (64.3) declared (Sithara Hapuhinnda 34, Manthila Wijeratne 24, Dulith Gunaratne 16, Shalin de Mel 15, Kishan Munasinghe 13, Kalana Perera 13, Maneesha Rupasinghe 13, Dellon Peiris 12, Manula Perera 5/43)

Royal College 33 for 3 wickets (15) at stupms Day 1 (Kavindu Madarasinghe 13n.o, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 4n.o, Kalana Perera 3/16)