The annual showdown between Thurstan College and Isipathana College, also dubbed as “The Battle of the Brothers”, is set to be held for the 57th time on the 28th and 29th of February at Sinhalese Sports Club Grounds, Colombo.
History
Sandaru Dias led the Thurstanites to victory in last year’s encounter between the two teams, easing past Isipathana College with a 10-wicket victory and ending a 19-year-long unsuccessful streak. They did not stop there and went on to deliver the knockout punch in the One-day and T20 fixtures as well, securing the rare triple for Thurstan College. Isipathana College will be aware of the challenge they are going to face and will be aiming to break the winning spell of their opposition which began last year.
Sandaru Dias spins Thurstan to landmark win
Obtaining a result has been rare in the history of the battle of the Brothers; in fact 46 out of 56 encounters have concluded as draws and the last time a result was produced before 2019 was in 1999, when Isipathana College won by 7 wickets under the leadership of Krishantha Jayawardene.
| Won by | No. of Matches |
| Isipathana College | 4 |
| Thurstan College | 6 |
| Drawn | 46 |
History – The Battle of the Brothers
Isipathana College has had the upper hand in the history of the encounter as they have managed to win 6 matches against the opposition, who have won only 4. Saman Nishantha (Isipathana College) secured the record for most individual runs in an innings in 2002 with his unbeaten 150, while former Sri Lanka Test player Nuwan Zoysa boasts the best bowling performance in the battle’s history with a 10-wicket haul, which he picked up in 1996.
Visit : Battle of the Brothers big matches
Thurstan College
2019/20 season
Under the leadership of current captain Jayavihan Mahavithana, Thurstan College has an unbeaten record in the season as they won 3 matches out of the 13 they played, while drawing the rest.
Results List
Vs Devapathiraja College – Drawn
Vs Nalanda College – Drawn
Vs St Anthony’s College – Drawn
Vs Richmond College – Drawn
Vs St Sylvester’s College – Drawn
Vs Mahanama College – Drawn
Vs St Servatius’ College – Drawn
Vs Maliyadeva College – Drawn
Vs Gurukula College – Drawn
Vs Maris Stella College – Won
Vs Lumbini College – Won
Vs St Thomas’ College, Matara – Won
Vs Prince of Wales’ College – Drawn
Key Players
Skipper Jayavihan Mahavithana has been the highest runs-scorer of the season so far, with 566 runs in 13 matches including 3 half centuries. Opener Yohan Liyanage chases him with 502 runs in the season, also having 46 wickets to his name.
Left-arm spinner Punthila Samantha Kumara can be picked out as the main trump of the Thurstanites as he has performed brilliantly throughout the season (65 wickets in 12 matches: six 5-fers).
Video – Jayavihan Mahavithana’s 84 vs Lumbini College
Probable XI
Yohan Liyanage, Jayavihan Mahavithana (C), Nadun Vihanga, Avishka Kaushalya, Bawantha Jayasinghe, Thineth Prabuddha, Ranesh Silva, Sanuth Nandinu, Vihas Thevmika, Punthila Samantha Kumara, Bimara Ranatunga
Isipathana College
2019/20 season
Isipathana College could not form a good run this season as the team, led by Leshan Amarasinghe, lost 3 matches out of the 15 they played, while managing to win only one.
Results list
Vs Lumbini College – Drawn
Vs Mahinda College – Drawn
Vs Royal College – Lost
Vs De Mazenod College – Drawn
Vs St Benedicts’ College – Won
Vs St Sylvesters’ College – Drawn
Vs Wesley College – Drawn
Vs Maliyadeva College – Drawn
Vs St Joseph’s College – Lost
Vs Mahanama College – Drawn
Vs Prince of Wales’ College – Drawn
Vs Kingwood College – Drawn
Vs St Aloysius’ College – Lost
Vs DS Senanayake College – Drawn
Vs Maris Stella College – Drawn
Key Players
Just as is the case with Thurstan College, skipper Ravindu Ratnayake is the star performer for Isipathana College, with him having mustered 839 runs in 15 innings, while all-rounder Ravindu Ratnayake is also a member of the 700-run club.
Isipathana College’s main weapon will be all-rounder Savindu Uthsara, who was exceptional through out the season with both the bat and the ball. In 14 matches, he has registered more than 500 runs and 44 wickets.
Video – Ravindu Rathnayake from Isipathana College blasts 162 from 117 balls
Probable XI
Thevindu Dickwella, Saveen Dantha, Leshan Amarasinghe (C), Ravindu Rathnayaka, Lisura Vinath, Savindu Uthsara, Yasiru Kasthuriarachchi, Thiwanka Lakruwan, Themiya Gunaratne, Dinath Dissanayake, Sithuka Gunawardene
Considering the form of both teams in the last 6 months, it is safe to say that Thurstan College possesses an advantage over Isipathana College; however there is enough potential in the Isipathana pool to pull off an upset.
The annual encounter will be livestreamed through ThePapare.com, Dialog TV and My TV platforms from 9.00 am onwards on the 28th and 29th of February. Keep logged in ThePapare.com for all the information you need on the 57th Battle of the Brothers.
