90th Battle of the Saints

by Reemus Fernando

Formidable opponents St. Joseph’s and St. Peter’s will be out to produce a close contest when they take the field in the 90th Battle of the Saints Big Match starting at the SSC ground today.

With a couple of Sri lanka Under 19 players bracing key positions, the two teams are expected to produce a thrilling contest. The two teams have peaked at the right moment to do so.

St. Peter’s, captained by Sri Lanka Under 19 cap Vishen Helambage, are just one win away from securing a place in the Tier A category after the team did well to reach the semifinals of the Tier B tournament.

St. Joseph’s under Lahiru Amarasekara completed the league stage at the fifth place in the points table in the Tier ‘A’ tournament. Though they are not part of the knockout stage the Joes too have come up with some outstanding performances during the latter part of the season.

The Joes have a strong batting line up. Though it was once rocked by Trinity this season they bounced back in dramatic fashion in the second essay. Hiran Jayasundara and Yenula Dewthusa, who were part of that rescue mission, are ready to repeat the rearguard action they have produced on more than one occasion this season if needed. Jayasundara has earned a special place in St. Joseph’s cricket history by becoming the only batsman to have scored two double centuries during the schools career. Abhishek Jayaweera, Aveesha Samash, Senuja Wakunugoda, Sri Lanka Under 19 player Hirun Kapurubandara and Rishma Amarasinghe are the other batsmen to watch.

In the bowling department Amarasekara and Dewthusa are expected to play a major role. Like their counterparts from other schools, the Joes speedsters too have shone when conditions suited them, with Dinuk Serasinghe and Manasa Madubashana leading from the front.

For Petes, Shennon Rodrigo was the key strike bowler during the season. He is expected to play vital roles in both the bowling and batting departments. While Lakshmika Perera and Helambage join him in the spin department, Ishira Ayupala will spearhead their pace attack.

Asadisa de Silva, Dilana Damsara, Oween Salgado, Helambage and Rusanda Gamage form the top order bating line up for Petes.

The Joes lead the victory tally of the Big Match 12-10. However, they have not tasted victory since the team led by Ruwantha Fernandopulle won the match in 2008. The Rev. Father Maurice J. Legoc Trophy remains in the custody of St. Peter’s having won it in 2016 under the captaincy of Vinu Mohotty.

Seated (from left): Torin Pitigala (Asst. Coach), Dilan Ramanayake (Head Coach), Asiri Caldera (Master in Charge), Lahiru Amarasekara (Captain), Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi (Rector), Rev. Fr. Priyan Tissera (Priest in Charge), Hiran Jayasundara (Vice Captain), Sanjeewa Fernando (Master in Charge Second XI), Hirun Kapurubandara, Kalpaq Fernando (Coach Second XI) Second row (from left): Nushan Perera, Subashana Potzmann, Dihen de Silva, Yenula Dantanarayana, Yenula Dewthusa, Heshan Ramanayake, Maanasa Madubashana, Dunick Perera, Dunik Serasinghe, Kenath Liyanage, Aveesha Samash. Back row (from left): Abishek Jayaweera, Kaven Pathirana, Rishma Amarasinghe, Deshan Thalahitiyagala, Senuja Wakunugoda, Demion de Silva.