46th Thurstan-Isipathana big match

Thurstan and Isipathana battle for supremacy from today

46th Thurstan-Isipathana big match

The first big match for the year 2009 gets underway today with Thurstan and Isipathana battling for supremacy at the SSC ground beginning at 10.00 a.m. each day. 

The encounter played for the Blackham Wijewardena Memorial Trophy will be the 46th in the series. Of the 45 matches played so far Thurstan are in the lead with five wins while Isipathana has recorded one lesser and 35 ending in draws. 

The two sides have been unable to produce any results since 1999 which ended in a win for Isipathana who was led by Krishantha Jayawardena while Thurstan tasted their last win 16 years ago led by Mackenzie Perera. 

So this time out no doubt with both the teams possessing all-round cricketers a result could be expected. And also their performance this season has been encouraging and a keen tussle is on the cards. 

The two schools during this season produced outright wins with Thurstan recording two wins against Maris Stella and Kingswood from the 12 matches they have played while Isipathana though having played 18 matches could be satisfied with their performances due to the fact they have a young side. 

They have recorded six outright wins against Mahanama, Trinity, Lumbini, St Sebastian’s, President’s Rajagiriya and Zahira which was their last outing before the big clash. Likewise they have six defeats too losing to St Joseph’s, Nalanda, Royal, S. Thomas’, DSS and St Peter’s. 

Thurstan this year will be led by second year player Indika Massalage who has scored over 550 runs with a top score of 111 against Maris Stella. He has an experienced player in Chamalka Gamage as his deputy who has been doing well with both bat and ball. 

But the cynosure of all eyes will be all rounder Shehan Kamileen who has scored over 450 runs and taken over 40 wickets this season. Nuwan Dharshana, Prabodha Arthavidu and Udara Munasinghe will be other batsmen that the Isipathanians will have to be watchful. The Thurstanites have four top spinners in right arm spinners Shehan Kamileen, Chamalka Gamage and Prabodha Arthavidu and left arm leggie Ravindu Wijeratne who has been their backbone in the bowling department and much will depend on this foursome in curtailing their opponents. 

Isipathana led by Sakuntha Premaratne though being unable to have any centurions had batsmen who has made useful and match winning knocks. Leading the way is Dimuth Warapitiya who is their top run getter with over 550 runs to his credit with three half tons. 

Pranama Sri Vimukthi is their next best with over 500 runs along with three players Nilusha Sasanka, Dimitri Perera and Thivanka Ranasinghe who have all scored over 450 runs are going to be a threat to the Thurstanites. Skipper Sakuntha too is capable of making an impact. 

Isipathana’s bowling too has been revolved around their spinners with left arm leggie Anushka Samaratunge and right arm spinners Sakuntha and Samitha Sulochana being in the forefront having taken 65 and 50 wickets respectively. They are for sure going to be a threat for the Thurstan batting. 

So with both teams being well balanced hopefully the supporters of either side will be hoping that the 16 year drought will come to an end. The big match will be followed by the 29th limited over encounter scheduled to be played on March 20 at the P. Sara Stadium and finally the 2nd T20 to be played on March 15 at the Thurstan ground.

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