This could be what the Josephians are thinking when they reflect on the “big match” in 2002.
Joes came so close to winning yet fell short by 3 runs of their victory target. It would have been a sweet victory had we archived it because at that time we had not tasted victory for 30 years since Rohan Fernando last led us to victory in 1972 when Rajiv Benedict tore through the Peterites to bundle them out for 36.
Back to the 68th battle and after the first day’s play, not even the most ardent Josephians had only one thing on their mind and that was survival. Peterites, on paper were on top & Joes were tagged as underdogs. However we had a determined skipper & a young troop to back our selves. I was picked to the big match best eleven players to represent my alma mater surprising most old boys & present boys at that time mainly because of my bowling abilities. I was given the new ball couple of occasions before the big game & I did exactly what I was asked to do. So it was my skipper Thivanka de S. Wijeyeratne & Deputy Joel Sabreen along with Coach Harsha De Silva who decided to go with me. Radhive Fernando son of last big match winning skipper for Joes in 1972 Rohan Fernando & Rishitha Dias son of former Sri Lanka player & Pete skipper 1972/1973 Roy Dias had to be on the bench to give me the opportunity in representing the South Asia’s biggest catholic schools best eleven players.
I used to bowl around 120-125 kilometers per hour speed & use to swing the ball both ways, specially the in swinger which was the out swinger for the left handers. St. Peter’s that year had the 3 of best left handers at that time Jehan Jayasuriya, Denver Faux & Gihan De Silva. I managed to bowl 17 overs for just 35 runs & Shiraz Illyas managed to grab their wickets one after the other. I was able uphold the faith bestowed on me by the coach and skipper by containing the big hitting Peterites whom we bowled out for 194. The Josephian innings did not go well as we were bowled out for mere 132 with a 62-run deficit. Petes began their 2nd essay on the 1st day itself. Resuming from their overnight score of 16 for no loss on the 1st day, the Peterites were cruising along merrily with openers, skipper Jehan Jayasuriya and Denver Faux playing their own style of Cricket. They posted the first 50 runs in no time and Denver Faux was the first to go, being clean bowled by Josephian skipper Thivanka de S. Wijeyaratne for 44. The Peterites lost two quick wickets and at lunch on day 2, Petes were 115 for 3.
After the lunch break, Peterites batted defensively instead of going for the runs and lost wickets regularly. Losing their last seven wickets for just 47 runs and ended the innings on 162. Only skipper Jehan was consistent and scored 51. For the Josephians Chandana Aravinda bowled a tight length to capture 5 for 46.
The Joes being given a target of 224 to win started off on a bad note losing two quick wickets with the score reading 14. And survive they did. First through a stunning partnership between Hashan Gunathilaka and Chandana Aravinda for the third wicket that not only saw them through the survival stage but gave them a glimpse of victory. At around a five to six runs per over the target was achievable but the loss of Aravinda , Gunathilaka, Joel Sabreen and Dion Melder saw the Peterites slaw back into the game & the Joes gave up hope of chasing the required runs for victory. But skipper Thivanka de S. Wijeyaratne and Gihan Perera changed the complexion of the game with some calypso type hitting to put on a partnership of 57 runs in 57 balls before Gihan, going for a second run, could not make it and was run out.
The Joes now needed 16 runs in 23 balls, we lost eighth wicket with the score on 217. Hard hitter Shiraz Illiyas joined Nuwan Hewage with the Josephians supporters going berserk. In the last over they needed 4 runs to win. With fading light at around 6.55 it was left to the ninth wicket pair to see them home. Hewage took a single in the first ball and in the second ball Shiraz trying to take a cheeky single could not beat the fielder’s throw & then the Maradana school boys had just a mere three runs to make in four balls with one wicket left.
So it was I who went on to join Nuwan Hewage, old boys talking to me on the way. Kissing my face all over asking me to bring them the victory that they had not tasted for 30 years. I was carried & taken to the middle. Then all hell broke loose and the old boys invaded the field and it would have taken a good ten minutes to clear the ground. I would never forget that 5-10 minutes in my life I was stunned & could not talk. The match was called off at this stage. The P Sara Stadium (Formerly the Colombo Oval) have never seen such an absorbing game of cricket.
Josephian all-rounder Chandana Aravinda was selected as the Best All-rounder and Man of the Match while Hashan Goonetileke also of St. Joseph’s got the Best Batsman award with Peterite Sajith Mendis as the Best Bowler and Josephian skipper Thivanka de S.Wijeyartne getting the Best Fielder’s award.
No skipper likes to lose and it is only natural that the match was called off when it was. Any losing skipper will have to hang his head in shame for the rest of his life if he loses and no one likes to be a member of a “Big match” losing side. So all’s well that end well.
Finally, I would like to wish all the very best to both St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College teams for the upcoming 81st Battle of the Saints encounter.
Thanks
Umesh Ruberu.
