Joes, Peterites equally good

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Two equally good teams and traditional rivals St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College will be vying for honours in the 74th annual Battle of the Saints inter school cricket encounter for the Rev Fr. Maurice Le-Goc Trophy at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium commencing today.

Both teams are packed with a number of senior players and another draw seem to be on the cards unless one team is bowled out twice within a short period.

But considering the manner the two teams have performed in the current season it is unlikely that a team would collapse quite sensationally. Even then St. Joseph’s College will go into this important clash with a psychological advantage having had the better of the exchanges in last years Big Match at the same venue.

The Josephians piled up over three hundred runs in the first innings and then enforced the follow on before a magnificent century from captain Lahiru Peiris saved the Peterites from a certain defeat.

The Peterites went through a similar situation in the current season too against Prince of Wales College Moratuwa. But since then they have made steady progress and have improved tremendously with the return of Angelo Perera and Chatura Peiris who were on national duty almost the entire season.

St. Peter’s College of course have left out one of their more experienced players Shiwanga Ranasuriya who missed out last years Big Match as well due to an injury. But their batting still looks strong on paper with the presence of Srimantha Wijeratne, skipper Anuk Silva and Sri Lanka youth player Angelo Perera in the line up.

The bowling too will be strengthened with the return of fast bowler Chatura Peiris who will supported by Vinod Perera, Chanaka Fernando and Akshu Fernando.

St. Joseph’s College will be hoping that their top five batsmen would deliver the goods as they performed in last years encounter. They will be fielding virtually that same side with dashing opener Dimuth Karunaratne aiming for a hattrick of awards having won the best batsman award during the last two Big Matches.

St. Joseph’s College will also be depending on Sri Lanka Youth cap and third year coloursman Thisara Perera who has won the best bowler’s award in the last two Big Matches.

Out of the 73 matches played between the two schools St. Joseph’s College lead the series with eleven victories and St. Peter’s College have emerged victorious on seven occasions.

St. Joseph’s College recorded their last win way back in 1972 and St. Peter’s College have not won since 1978.

The teams:

St. Joseph’s College (from): Ruwantha Fernandopulle (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Anton de Livera, Roshane Silva, Thisara Perera, Sameera Weerasinghe, Prabudha Sankalpa, Sahan Wijesiri, Hareen Silva, Chaturanga Kumara, Treshan Rajasooriya and Dinal Dhambarage.

St. Peter’s College: Anuk Silva (captain), Angelo Perera, Srimantha Wijeratne, Chatura Peiris, Ruwan Wickremanayake, Chanaka Fernando, Vinod Perera, Thiwanka Silva, Suranga Rodrigo, Andry Berenger and Akshu Fernando. Shiwanga Ranasuriya (12th man).