St Peter’s College cricket skipper Ranmith Jayasena threw a challenge to his St. Joseph’s College counterpart saying they are the team to beat this season at the 85th Battle of the Saints big match on March 1 and 2 at the P Sara Oval.
The Peterites go into the match with two outright wins and ten first innings wins.
“We have a well balanced side and our batting is our biggest strength and we are the team to beat,” said Ranmith Jayasena who is an all-rounder.
“Last year’s skipper Santhush Gunatilleka is our main batsman with over one thousand runs with seven centuries. All bats around him. I myself scored over 700 runs while deputy skipper Nipunaka Fonseka is also among the runs. Even our new comers are in good touch to make runs.”
Unlike last season the Peterites have done better this season and the bi match has given them added motivation.
“We never underestimate the Joes. They also have good all-rounders. Kanishka and Ruwin are the two most successful bowlers of our side. Santhush and I also bowl and both of us are among the wickets this season,” added Jayasena who is the son of former Panadura cricketer Mangala Jayasena the present match referee attached to Sri Lanka Cricket.
Former Sri Lanka opener and ex-Peterite captain Malinda Warnapura is the team’s head coach with Chrishantha Pieris and Kitto Fernandopulle the two assistant coaches.
Meanwhile skipper of the St Joseph’s College Ashian Daniel said that all his players were in good form which they will throw at the Peterites come match day. He has represented the Sri Lanka Under-19 team as a spin bowler.
“We have all come together at the right time and have gone through a good season in the build-up. The big match is a different game altogether and you need to be positive from the first ball to make a match of it,” said Daniel.
“The big match is the most important game for us.”
The Joes are coached by former Sri Lanka spinner Roger Wijesuriya.