U-19 Cricket: What the coaches and skippers say about this year's Blues battle

As the 138th Battle of the Blues approaches between two of the most elite schools in Sri Lanka -- Royal College and S. Thomas' College -- which is set to begin from Thursday (9) to Saturday (11) at the SSC ground in Colombo, the coaches and skippers of the two teams are highly confident of claiming a win.

Following are what the two coaches and two captains of the rival teams had to say about their preparation for the annual 'Big Match' encounter. 

It's all about managing and overcoming situations 
Suranga Wijenayake (Royal College Coach) 
This is undoubtedly the most important for both schools in the season. In comparison with our opponents, we are a good side. But that doesn't mean that we will straightforwardly be the firm favourites in a sport like cricket. It's all about managing and overcoming situations. Last year we were in a much contrasting situation than this year, nevertheless we played according to situations and changed the game. This time too we will adopt a similar style. We will face situations as it comes and fight till the last delivery to come out winners. 
About the team, Royal has five coloursmen and some good individual performances coming out from certain players. We have a well balanced unit -- a good batting lineup combined with a good bowling attack. The Roy-Tho as any other years will be about committing less mistakes and taking the game positively forward coupled up with good brand of cricket. I'm sure by now our boys are geared up to deliver that make the outcome a positive one for Royal. 
Whatever situation S. Thomas' may be in at the moment we are not concerned about it. Because we always take our opponents seriously. We cannot and never will underestimate S. Thomas' at the most important game of the season. If we capitalise them throughout the whole of three days on March 9, 10 and 11 with less mistakes, yes we are talking about a Royal win. 

We have performed well during the season 
Helitha Vithanage (Royal College Captain) 
We have performed well during the season after playing around 18 games. I have made 1000 runs and we have another batsman who has scored more than 930 runs. In addition we have five who have surpassed the 500-run milestone. We also have some good bowlers and those who are earmarked as top wicket-takers at the big game have taken over 40 wickets each during the season. Overall the performances of the boys gives us confidence for a good win at the 138th Royal-Thomian battle. 
On paper the Thomians may field a much younger side than ours. But Cricket is game of uncertainty, and S. Thomas' as always, will be a tough opponent at the annual three-day match. Our boys are confident and positive after playing around 18 games during the season, where we were able to rectify our mistakes one by one. With the resources, motivation and lessons we have gained I'm sure Royal can come out winners. 

This is the youngest S. Thomas' side since 1983 
Dinesh Kumarasinghe (S. Thomas' College Coach) 
This is the youngest S. Thomas' side coming out for a Royal-Thomian since 1983. The side boasts of only three coloursmen and others are fairly young. But as a unit they have done their bit with five wins and no losses. We did not concede even a first innings win to any of our opponents during the season, which depicts seniority has very little say for us. 
Our strongest armour will be the bowling attack combined well with pace and spin. Batting performances of our boys have not been bad at all given the fact that most of them are fresh legs. We know that Royal has an experienced outfit this time but our boys are highly motivated and confident. Nevertheless, we would prefer to come into the game as underdogs and take charge of the affairs progressively. We, the players, coaches and support staff, has had some good motivation and valuable points imparted to us by the vastly experienced Coach Dav Whatmore, who supports S. Thomas' as a consultant of cricket. By now S. Thomas' is a highly spirited and confident unit. 

We are confident now 
Romesh Nallaperuma (S. Thomas' College Captain) 
At the beginning of the season, of course there was uncertainty than at present if we would be a gritty unit as usual for the big match. By now as the skipper I can say we are confident as ever. That momentum we gained the moment we beat Trinity College after 29 years this season and the confident has been growing ever since. It has given us nothing but the will to win. 
We may not have big names but individually we have combined well to pull off some good wins this season. This will be the real test for us all to end the season on a high note. Having said that we very well know that Royal is an experienced side this season but will never bother us from playing our usual game and aiming for a win. The boys have been engaged at training seriously and all of us are really fired up for a win.