S. Thomas’ College squad: Seated: Thevin Eriyagama, Kalana Perera, Dulith Gunaratne, Dellon Peiris (Captain), Sithara Hapuhinna, Manthila Wijeratne. Standing: Dimithra Wimalasooriya, Kishan Munasinghe, Shannon Fernando, Semal Samarawickrama, Mohamad Azam, Tehan Shafter, Manisha Rupasinghe, Shalin de Mel, Ryan Fernando, Vishuth Perera
The stage is set for what will be the 139th inter-school big match cricket encounter between Royal College and S. Thomas’ College to be played from March 8 to 10 at the SSC ground in Colombo.
Predicting the winner at any big match encounter may be a hard preposition and likewise neither team can be tagged as overwhelming favorites although the Thomians may boast that they have a better track record this season than Royal who were compelled to play among the second division teams.
Nevertheless both teams have had their share of success and concerns during the run-up to the match but any of the wins posted may have little or no bearing on the encounter like in several past years where the underdog side had pulled off a win and the favourite of the pundit going back empty-handed to face the music. Both teams are led by experienced players with Royal under the captaincy of Pasindu Sooriyabandara and the Thomians by Dellon Peiris which will definitely make the encounter an interesting affair.
If anyone could insist, then overall Thomians may be tagged the better team going by their performances this season where they posted six outright wins to remain unbeaten and all eyes will be focused on how well they put to use their achievements against their traditional rival. Royal on the other hand have what it takes to make a match of the proceedings having made vast improvements as the season progressed. They started off on a shaky note and lost by ten runs to St. John’s College Jaffna but gathered momentum just in time for the big match and whatever they are bound to do may not come as a surprise to their followers.
For the record Royal have also won six matches after being put down to play against several second division teams this season.-(YK)