The Trinity College team comprised Akram Muthalib (captain), Matheesha Pathirana (vice captain), Pawan Pathiraja, Theeraka Ranatunga, Ranuda Somaratne, Rahal Amarasinghe, Manula Kularatne, Vibhavith Ehelepola, Supun Waduge, Tharana Wimaladharma, Kusal Wijetunga, Vihan Mudunkotuwa, Themiya Jayasundara, Dinuka Tennakoon, Viduka Dammage, Dinusha Pieris, Yewan Hulangamuwa, Janith Warnakula and Kaveen Gamage
In quite an entertaining one-day game, cricket was seen at its best at the Asgiriya Stadium where Trinity College, Kandy upset St Anthony’s College, Katugastota in the 40th match of the series to annex the Sir Richard Aluwihare Cup.
The series commenced in 1980 with St. Anthony’s led by Angelo Liyanage and Ravi Ratnayake leading Trinity in a match played at Asgiriya. Trinity has won 19 (13 at Asgiriya and 6 at Katugastota) whereas St Anthony’s have come out victorious on 17 occasions (11 at Katugasota and 6 at Asgiriya). One game ended in a tie and three games ended without a result due to wet weather (1993, 2003 and 2008).
Trinity swept the awards with Vibarath Ehelepola being adjudged the Best Bowler, skipper Akram Muthalib Best Fielder, Ranuda Somaratne Best Batsman, and Manjula Kularatne Man of the match. This year’s match was played under the patronage of 1992 Trinity College captain Kelum Ediriisnghe. One of the happiest persons would have been the principal of Trinity College Rev. Fr. Araliya Jayasundara, who celebrated his 45th birthday on this match winning day. A great sports promoter, he was at St. Anthony’s College for over a decade before he joined Trinity.
Trinity’s match winning squad comprised Akram Muthalib (captain), Matheesha Pathirana (vice captain), Pawan Pathiraja, Theeraka Ranatunga, Ranuda Somaratne, Rahal Amarasinghe, Manula Kularatne, Vibhavith Ehelepola, Supun Waduge, Tharana Wimaladharma, Kusal Wijetunga, Vihan Mudunkotuwa, Themiya Jayasundara, Dinuka Tennakoon, Viduka Dammage, Dinusha Pieris, Yewan Hulangamuwa, Janith Waranakula and Kaveen Gamage. A big hand should go to coach Naveen Ekanayake, trainer Bandulla Pushpakumara and also the master-in-charge Brian Senaratne.
St Anthony’s team consisted of players in the mould of Chamindu Wickremasinghe (captain), Asitha Wanninayake (vice captain), Chandimal Herath, Divyesh Raniah, Lahiru Abeyasinghe, Traveen Mathews, Kavindu Sehan, Bimsara Jayasekara, Yasiru Gamaarachchi, Jayodya Amarasena, Mohamed Aaquil, Rhusara Ekanayake, Induwara Galapitage, Kanesha Rajapakse, Kaveesha Piyuymal, Charuka Ekanayake, Ravindu Kapuwatuwa, and Rayan Anthonis. Coach Suneth Gunatilake, trainer Priyantha Kumara and MIC Lenin Jayasinghe also did their part.
Electing to bat first, the Antonians managed to score only 150 runs in 49 overs despite a superb knock of 37 from Kavindu Shehan. Ehelepola claimed four for 22 while Muthalib had two catches and two stumpings behind the wicket.
Trinity romped to a four-wicket win scoring 151 for six in 44 overs. Ranuda Somaratne made a solid 52 with some good hits right around the wicket.