S. Thomas’ look for repeat, Royal seek vengeance

By M. Shamil Amit

It’s celebration time again for the young and old boys when the two oldest cricket playing schools Royal College and S. Thomas’ College battle it out in the 147th Battle of the Blues encounter beginning today at the SSC ground.

The encounter is deemed to be the second oldest school match in the world after the match involving St Peter’s College and Prince Alfred College, Adelaide Australia.

Looking back at the performance of the two teams in the ongoing schools cricket season Royal led by Sri Lanka youth player Rehan Peiris have played 13 matches and won one outright against Nalanda while S. Thomas’ led by Avinash Fernando played 16 matches and winning one outright against Prince of Wales.  But the Thomians lost to Ananda.

Royal move into the game with confidence and along with Peiris possess three other players who have represented the Sri Lanka U-19 team in Ramiru Perera, Vimath Dinsara and Himara de Silva.

Their batting is spearheaded by Peiris who has scored over 950 runs with two centuries and seven half tons along with Hirun Liyanarachchi who has scored over 600 runs with a century and seven half tons while Ramiru Perera has scored over 700 runs inclusive of three centuries and four half tons.

Royal’s bowling will revolve around Ramiru, Himaru de Silva and Sehandu Sooriyaarachchi.

On the other hand the Thomian batting will be spearheaded by last year’s match winning hero Reshon Solomons who is their top run-getter having scored over 800 runs inclusive of two tons and two half tons.

Other run makers are Jaden Amaraweera who has scored over 750 runs with two tons and five half tons, Aaron Kodituwakku who has scored over 650 runs with a ton and five half tons while skipper Avinash and Ludeesha Nimsara have both scored over 500 runs.The bowling attack will be in the hands of Abishek Paranavidana and Aaron de Silva

The tally of the series from 146 matches is 36 wins each and with S. Thomas’ being the current holders of the DS Senanayake Shield with their five wicket win last year, they will be looking forward to retaining it while on the other Royal will strive to regain the Shield they last won in 2023.

The three day match will be followed by the 49th Mustangs Trophy limited overs encounter scheduled to be played under floodlights at the SSC ground on March 28.