Will St. Thomas’ Matara upset St. Servatius?

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The 117th Battle of the Blues (South) is all set to commence on the 24th of March (end 26th) as Division II St. Thomas College Matara battles it out against Division I St. Servatius College in their annual big match at Uyanwatta.

Blast from the past

The big match in the South is the third oldest big match played in the island having been played continuously since 1900. St. Thomas’ lead the big match series with 5 wins more than St. Servatius. The Thomians have 32 wins to their name in comparison to Servatius 27 wins.

St. Servatius have been on the winning side for 46 years in this series, since Nimal Munaweera led them to victory in 1971. In 2007 under the leadership of Tharaka Dushantha the Thomians emerged victorious. 

This Season

St. Servatius, playing in Division I did not have a season to remember, ending with just one win over Maris Stella College Negombo finishing 6th in their group with 85.64 points.

On the other hand, St. Thomas’, playing in division II, had an outstanding season, topping their group with 107.360 points with four outright wins over St. John’s College Jaffna, Debarawewa National School, Vidyartha College Kandy and Carey College Colombo. The Thomians are just one win away from joining division I.

St. Thomas’ College Matara 

Wicketkeeper who opens the batting, Nipun Achalanka will be leading the Thomian outfit. The Thomians are armoured with left-hand batsman Raminda Pravinath who has surpassed the 1000 run mark with 2 double centuries included in it. The spin duo of off-spinner Hashin Dilman and left-arm orthodox spinner Pravin Madushan have impressed in the bowling department having bagged over 80 wickets each and are capable of turning a game on its head in no time.

Thomian Squad

Nipun Achalanka (C), Hashin Dilman (VC), Praveen Madushan, Akila Thiwanka, Hasitha Suneth, Ishan Jayawardena, Hirantha Lakshan, Mihisal Amoda, Lahiru Gimhan, Lahiru Dilshan, Raminda Pravinath, Maleesha de Saram, Sandun Chaminda, Kavindu Ridmal, Gisanthika Jayaweera, Avindu Nimantha, Nimanthaka Bhashana, Shanjaya Maduranga, Sanchitha Gimhan, J.P. Harindu, Hirusha Jeewadith, Voshitha Amarasinghe, Sineth Dissanayaka, Sachira Rashmika and Nipun Ruchira.

St. Servatius College

Ace paceman, Thilan Prashan would be the Servatian’s senior marksman. Isuru Udayanga will be leading the Servatians as a second year coloursman with Sandaru Nethmina deputising. Sri Lanka under-19 cap Thilan Prashan, with his national exploits, would be looked up to in the big match.

 St. Servatius Squad

Isuru Udayanga (C), Sandaru Nethmina (VC), Thilan Prashan, Shasika Dulshan, Pushpitha Dilshan, Dineth Nethsara, Dilshan Maduranga, Ruvinda Rochana, Keshara Nuwantha, Supun Kavinda, Muditha Hashan, Pasindu Manupriya, Chalana Anuradha, Kavindu Dulakshitha, Imanka Madushan, Hirun Anjana, Dilakshana Kavinda, Shanaka Didulantha, Nethum Sahasra, Navin Sahith, Dinura Dilmin, Ashen Dinuththara. 

 Final Say

On form, the Thomians are at the height of it coming into the big match but having being playing in division two, a class below the Servatian’s could be disadvantageous leading into the big match.