Traditional rivals, Isipathana College and Thurstan College will ring in ‘March Madness’ with their 53rd annual cricket encounter for the Blackham Wijewardena Memorial Trophy scheduled to be played on February 26 and 27 at the SSC ground starting from 9.30 am each day.
History of the Encounter
After 52 matches, there have been only 9 instances where a result has been produced. Thurstan has a marginal lead having won five matches while Isipathana is not way behind with four wins as all the other games have been ended without a result. The last win in the series was recorded by Isipathana College in 1999 under the captaincy of Thushantha Jayawardene while Thurstan College last won in 1992 under Mackenzie Perera.
Saman Nishantha’s unbeaten 150 for Isipathana in 2002 remains as the highest individual score in the series while former Sri Lanka Test and current SLC fast-bowling coach, Nuwan Zoysa’s excellent 10-wicket match haul in 1996 stands out as the best bowling show on record.
Both schools have produced a number of Sri Lanka players in Amitha de Costa, Niroshan Bandaratilleke, Hemantha Boteju, Lahiru Gamage from Thurstan and Jayantha Paranathala, Suresh Perera, Nuwan Zoysa and Sanjeewa Weerasinghe from Isipathana.
Isipathana College
Led by Sri Lanka U19 player and 5th year coloursman, Salinda Ushan, Isipathana College has remained unbeaten throughout the season recording 3 outright wins from 20 matches. The outright wins came against Anuradhapura Central, Holy Cross Kalutara and Dharmasoka MV Ambalangoda. They have also recorded 14 first-innings victories and have qualified for the semi-finals of the Singer-SLSCA under 19 division one cricket tournament.
Salinda and wicket-keeper batsman Vishad Randika have not played many matches this season due to national commitments but the latter struck a brilliant 199, heading into the ‘Big Match’, against Royal College in their quarter-final encounter.
Batting has been their forte this season as two of their players, Sanjula Abeywickrama and Pramod Maduwantha have passed the 1000-run mark. Pramod too is a player with national experience having represented the Sri Lanka U19 team in the series against Pakistan last October.
Pramod has taken over 65 wickets this season with his off-spinners while fresher Lahiru Dilshan has picked up over 75 scalps with his left-arm spinners. They are well supported by Ivanka Sanjula who has captured 60 wickets with his right-arm leg spin.
Thurstan College
Sri Lanka under 19 representative and 5th year coloursman, Charana Nanayakkara will lead the strong Thurstan team this weekend after successfully captaining the team throughout a fruitful season where they have achieved 7 outrights wins in 17 matches despite losing their pre-quarter final encounter against St. Servatius’ College in the Singer-SLSCA under 19 division one cricket tournament.
Sajith Gunathilake, Charana’s deputy, has been in tremendous form this season tallying over 500 runs. A lot will be expected out of wicket-keeper batsmen, Salinda Samaranayake and Kasun Abeyrathne. Imesh Viranga and Isitha Wijesundara remain as very good batting prospects for the Reid Avenue boys.
The left-arm spin duo, Dilan Madhusanka and Naveen Gunawardena have taken close to 100 wickets between them this season while off-spinner Thushal Madusanka has been playing the season of his life taking close to 50 wickets.
Fast-bowlers, Isitha Wijesundara, Nipun Lakshan and Charana Nanayakkara will be expected to provide some initial breakthroughs in order to stop the marauding arch-rivals.
Weather and Ground Conditions
Both days are expected to be bright and sunny and to provide the full quota of 95 overs per day. The pitch will assist the fast-bowlers during the first session on day one but after that it is expected to be a ‘Batting Paradise’ as is always the case at SSC.
Final Say
Red-hot Isipathana College will come out all guns blazing to end a 17-year hoodoo of a result in this exciting encounter while Thurstan College will need to give their utmost best in order to turn the game in favour of them. Both schools must play positive cricket in order to entertain the cricket-crazy fans and approach the game with one intent in their mind, to win the game.
Sri Lanka’s number one sports hub, ThePapare.com will be Streaming the match LIVE & EXCLUSIVE on both days starting 9.30am.
