Sports
Rajive’s Big Match – A skipper’s recollections after 50 years
The 38th Battle of the Saint’s between St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College was played on the 17 and 18 of March 1972 (50 years ago) at the Colombo Oval. I was the captain of the St. Joseph’s team whilst the great Roy Dias led the Peterite team. Both sides were evenly balanced although it was reported that St. Joseph’s had the edge as we had won more games during the season.
My team was naturally confident although the Big Match was always treated with respect as the Peterites were never to be underestimated. Our team had no stars as our affable coach Mr. Dalpathado would say except perhaps Gary Melder whilst the stylish Roy Dias was at his peak, and much was expected of him. The team was confident, yet big match jitters seemed to bother the boys.
The 17th of March dawned and St Joseph’s won the toss and put St. Peter’s into bat, and they were bowled out for 112 runs in their first innings. Rajive Benedict took two wickets, whilst Rohan de S. Wijeratne had the best figures of 4-34 and paceman Chandana Fonseka took three wickets. St Joseph’s got off to a good start but later slowed down to be 127 for one at close on day one. There were mixed feelings after the first day’s play including some criticism towards me for a slow innings.
One newspaper headline read “St Joseph’s well away but a decision unlikely.” Another headline said, “An early declaration is vital.” Whilst yet another said “Josephians in commanding position.” However, none of us dreamed of what was to take place on that historic second day.
St Joseph’s continued the innings from the first day and declared at 235 for seven wickets at the milk interval on day two. Gary Melder scored a quick fire 50 runs, whilst Rohan Martin made 36 and I scored 73 runs.
St. Peter’s went into bat soon after the milk interval, and what took place could only be described as a miracle. Rajive Benedict who once again opened the attack was simply unplayable and ripped through the Peterite batting, recording the remarkable figures of eight wickets for six runs and the Peterites were bowled out for a paltry 36 runs. This was the lowest ever total in the history of the Joe-Pete series. Roy Dias was fortunately out cheaply, caught behind by Rohan Martin off the bowling of Paceman Chandana Fonseka. How I thanked my lucky stars that Rajive and I were on the same side. The match was over before the tea break, much to the annoyance of some of the Josephian supporters who had to cut short their revelry.
Hence it is nostalgic to re-live that memorable victory exactly after 50 years.
The architect of that great victory was left arm paceman Rajive Benedict who not only had the remarkable figures of eight wickets for six runs in the Peterite second innings but ended up with a match bag of 10 for 24 in this match. I recall with affection my teammates, coach and Master in Charge of that memorable year. Mr. Dalpathado the coach was a father figure and a shrewd tactician ably supported by Mr. Angelo Rayer who was the Master in charge. He could read the game better than most coaches at that time. He is now 80 years young.
I also fondly recall three of my teammates who have moved on to heavenly shores, Gary Melder my vice-captain, off spinner Ranjan de Silva, our scorer Sunimal de S Wijeratne and our great coach Mr. Dalpathado. Many of my teammates are overseas, namely, Rajive Benedict, Keith Jansen and Cecil Sebastian are in Canada, whilst Sirimath Dep the all-rounder is in Australia and Chandana Fonseka is in Dubai. Rohan Martin my opening partner and wicket keeper, Ajith Johnpillai the hard hitter, all-rounder Rohan de S Wijeratne, middle order bat Turlough de S Wijeratne, opening bat and wicket keeper Tony Goonewardene, off spinner Lalith Jayasinghe and the brilliant fielder Nihal Wijewickrema are in Sri Lanka and so is our cheer leader Rohan Wijesooriya, who was an integral part of the team.
The Peterite team too had some fine players, in of course Roy Dias, Lalith Obeysekera, Bernard Wijetunge, Edgar Tavaryan, Mohan Abeysekera, to name a few. Many of them have remained close friends to this day. Our record stood for 36 years until St. Joseph’s had another Big Match victory in 2008. Leading this exceptional team, where team spirit was so high, was an honour and privilege and a high point in my life. I consider this a blessing from the Almighty God.
Rohan Fernando (Fido)
Sports
Croospulle stars as Sri Lanka ‘A’ clinch one-day series against Kiwis
A stunning hundred by opening bat Lasith Croospulle helped Sri Lanka ‘A’ to post a commanding 368 for nine in their allotted 50 overs and then restrict New Zealand ‘A’ to 158 for three and a secure a 44 run win [DLS method] at Suriyawewa yesterday. The win helped Sri Lanka to take an unassailable 2-0 series lead.
The star for Sri Lanka ‘A’ was the former Maris Stella College, Negombo cricketer Lasith Croospulle as he smashed 103 off just 76 balls hitting 13 fours and six sixes as the hosts piled up the runs.
Croospulle has represented Sri Lanka in one T20I and performances such as these are sure to earn him a regular spot in the white ball sides.
The middle order then ensured that they didn’t spoil the good work of the top order with captain Sahan Arachchige and Sonal Dinusha posting half-centuries.
Arachchige smashed 76 in 68 balls with five fours and two sixes while young Sonal Dinusha put the bowling to the sword during the death overs. His 93 came off 77 deliveries with six fours and four sixes.
Dinusha, who has already made his Test debut and impressed many with his electric fielding could have gone on to post his hundred but sacrificed his wicket in a bid to score quick runs.
With the World Cup less than a year away and the selectors keeping a close eye on the second string, performances like these are sure to get their attention.
Rain reduced the game to 28 overs and New Zealand were given a revised target of 203 but they only managed 158 for three to hand Sri Lanka a comfortable win.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ had won the first game by 140 runs in Galle. Saturday’s third one-dayer will be a dead rubber.
The teams will stay back at Suriyawewa for two further weeks where the two match unofficial Test series will be played.
The composition for the four day games is set to change with Pasindu Sooriyabandara set to lead the side.
Sports
St. Joseph’s book final berth as Akash leads spin attack
St. Joseph’s College secured a place in the final after their spinners, spearheaded by Sri Lanka Under-19 spinner Vigneswaran Akash, overcame determined resistance from the Prince of Wales College tail to claim first innings points in the Under 19 Division I Tier ‘A’ tournament semi-final at the D.H.H. Ground, Madampella on Wednesday.
The final day began with an early breakthrough when spinner Vishwa Peiris struck in the very first over to dismiss overnight centurion Thusindu Deemantha. Deemantha, who had already batted for more than three sessions, anchored the Cambrians’ innings with remarkable determination while chasing St. Joseph’s imposing first innings total of 354.
At that stage Prince of Wales were still more than 100 runs adrift with only four wickets in hand, but the lower order refused to surrender easily. Number seven batsman Pasan Cooray dug in with a courageous knock of 66, frustrating the Josephian bowlers for long periods.
However, Akash gradually tightened the screws on the tail, claiming three of Cooray’s partners before the resistance was finally broken. Cooray eventually fell to Nushan Perera, who played a crucial holding role despite taking just one wicket. Perera bowled a disciplined spell of 25 overs, conceding just over two runs per over to keep the pressure on the Cambrians.
Akash emerged as the pick of the bowlers with impressive figures of four wickets for 109 runs from a marathon 33-over spell.
As expected, the outcome of the match was effectively decided once the first innings concluded. With the semi-final berth secured, the remainder of the contest became a formality as St. Joseph’s batted through until the penultimate over of the match.
Opener Aveesha Samash continued his outstanding form by registering back-to-back centuries. Having scored 122 in the first innings, Samash followed it up with a brilliant 133 off 104 balls, striking 20 fours and a six as St. Joseph’s posted 238 for four in 48 overs.
Yenula Danthanarayana contributed 28 while Senuja Wakunegoda added a useful 48. Shehan Ashein and Matheesha Aponso claimed two wickets apiece for Prince of Wales.
St. Joseph’s will now wait two more days to learn their opponents for the final.
Meanwhile, in the second semi-final which commenced on Wednesday, Royal College ended the opening day strongly at 328 for four against Trinity College, with Dushen Udawela leading the charge with a fine century of 105. (RF)
Sports
Manimaran-Wijesiriwardena trophy at stake when Rahula Matara host Hartley Point Pedro at Uyanwatta on Friday
BATTLE OF THE ENDS
The Manimaran – Wijesiriwardena Trophy will be up for grabs when Rahula College Matara host Hartley College Point Pedro for the 7th edition of the’ Battle of the Ends’ the traditional encounter between two schools situated at the Southern and Northern points of the island.
The annual encounter between these two schools was envisioned by two illustrious cricketers, Ramakrishnan Manimaran of Hartley College and Lal Wijesiriwardena of Rahula who are domiciled in Australia. The inaugural game was hosted at the Uyanwatta Stadium in 2017 and has been played continuously except from 2020 to 2022 due to the Covid 19 pandemic. The series so far has been one sided with Rahula College winning all six previous encounters.
The Rahula XI led by M.A.Nadil Sandesh will be selected from Janiru Thejana Wijayawardana, D.G.Indumin pawara Pabasara, J.K.Aayu Geesara Kaviraj, H.G.Pramuditha Nawanjana, Naviru Nethwan Abeydiwakara, Ishantha Gimhan Abesingha, M.L.Senuk Dewditha, Jayaru Kaveeshwara Ekanayake, .H.M.Eeshala Uththiya Bandara, A.A.Lithum Seunitha, R.M Chathum Geenath Rathnayaka, H.A Shewan Shanuka, H.Sandalu Hasaranga Rajapaksha, H.M.Hirun Manyuga, J.K.Divan Sri Nithish, K.B.Minidu Idusha, Dulana Mallawaraja Samarawickrama Abeysekara
The visiting Hartley College Team for this years ‘ Battle of the Ends’ is led by T Abishaan and will be selected from R Kishaaran, K Kanalventhan, S Mathushan, P Atheesh,V Venukaran, V Vishrukeethan, S Thanushanth, J Ilankeeran, R Jathushan, S Vikasan, D Blesshin, U Abinayan, T Jishnuram, A Arshaan
Hartley College will miss the services of Sri Lanka Under 19 player, Vigenshwaran Akash who moved to St Joseph’s College Colombo this season. Akash was the top scorer for Hartley in last year’s encounter which Rahula won by seven wickets.
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