Battle of the Blues- Ruhuna

St. Servatius’ will have a daunting task striving for the elusive victory at the annual Battle of the Blues of Ruhuna as their arch rivals St. Thomas’ enter the 2025 edition of the Big Match as one of the top teams in the schools cricket arena.

History is against St. Servatius’. They have not tasted a victory in the annual big match for more than five decades. Nimal Munaweera led outfit won their last big match way back in 1971. St. Servatius’ could not enjoy much success this season. Vishwa Supun led outfit will have to punch above their weight if they to be on par with St. Thomas’.

Thomians under the captaincy of Pesandu Sanjan enjoyed one of their best seasons  where they came almost close to earning the Tier ‘A’ promotion. Pesandu Sanjan will look forward to continue the good work to conclude the season on a positive note. His team registered three outright victories (in the  tournament matches) including a crushing five wickets victory over Ananda with skipper Sanjan and Manuga Guruge running riot in the second innings (Ananda 47 all out).

ST THOMAS’ COLLEGE TEAM Front row from left: G G Pesandu Sanjan [Captain], M G Yasith Deshvan [Assistant Coach], Dinusha Jayasanka [Head Coach], J Jayawardhana [Deputy Principal – Sports], G P N Perera [Principal], H K Delip Kumara [Prefect of Games], Asanga Welhengoda [Master in Charge], S Y T Lakruwan [Master in Charge], I G Praveen Madushan [Junior Coach], V H Lakshitha Induwara Diksith [Vice Captain] Middle row from left: W Yomiru Saswin, D Dinara Iddamalgoda, M W Punal Pamuditha, W A Kumesh Nawanjana, M A Senura Gihan Abeysekara, P G Ochintha Chamika, K G Manuga Yonal, A Abdul Maajid, K G Thathsara Dewmith, B Vihanga Sankalana, S S Sashindu Methpahan, E A Dinura Pavinji Jayanatha Back row from left: N G A Senith Sulakshana, Abdul Rasheed, O W Sethuja Mandinu, R R Paranavithana, H S Thathsara Vimukthi, W Vindila Chanuth Minsitha

St. Thomas’ will expect Sanjan to play a lead role in the batting line up. He has scored over 1000 runs this season and was the leading batsman of the tournament at one stage.

Ochintha Chamika and Punal Pamuditha open batting for St. Thomas’, while Senura Gihan, Thathsara Dewmith, Abdul Maajid, Kumesh Nawanjana and Sanjan form the top order batting lineup.

Their pace attack include Loshitha Diksith, Ochintha Chamika and left armer Shashindu Methpahan. With spinners dominating at Uyanwatta, the spotlight is expected to fall on left-arm spinner Manuga Guruge who has taken over 50 wickets this season.

For St. Servatius’ skipper Vishwa Supun is the most reliable batsman. He has scored close to 600 runs. Viran Chamuditha (close to 500 runs), Chamarindu Nethsara and Sanju Dilshan are the others to have contributed with the bat.

Spinner Praveen Madusanka is their leading wicket taker, while Samiru Gimhan, Raveen Kavintha and Chamuditha provide additional support. Sanju Dilshan and Risinu Kithmuka will share the new ball.

St. Thomas’ lead the victory tally of the series 32-27. Thomians are the last winners of the big match having won under the captaincy of Tharaka Dushyantha in 2007.

by Reemus Fernando