The cricket-crazy city of Colombo will be electrified once again as the 63rd edition of the “Battle of the Brothers,” the annual cricket encounter between Thurstan College and Isipathana College, is set to be staged from 3rd to 5th April at the historic SSC Grounds in Colombo. One of the most legendary rivalries in school cricket, this year’s clash will serve as an acid test for both teams as they battle for supremacy and the honour of the coveted Blackham Wijewardene Memorial Trophy.
The Thurstan-Isipathana rivalry was officially born in 1964 at the then Municipality/Nomads Grounds, now the site of the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, where the inaugural encounter ended in a tame draw. Thurstan College broke the deadlock early, claiming their first title in 1965 under the captaincy of Lalith Peiris.
For Isipathana, a significant milestone came in 1973 when the “Green Machine” secured their maiden title under the leadership of Lanka Perera. Historically, Thurstan holds the edge with seven wins, while Isipathana closely follows with four titles. However, the recent narrative has been dominated by draws, making the three-day format a true test of endurance.
Notably, the encounter produced a result only last year-the first instance since the three-day format was introduced-with Thurstan, led by Vihas Thewmika, recording a dominant 10-wicket victory. For the Isipathana camp, the hunger to end a drought stretching back to their last win in 1999 under Krishantha Jayawardene will be a primary driving force.
Competing in the elite Division I – Tier A segment, Thurstan has endured a season of mixed fortunes, securing two first-innings wins against five first-innings losses. However, the quality of their opposition has steeled them for the big match.
The Thurstan outfit will be led by right-arm leg-spinner Yovun Shilpa, with versatile all-rounder Sethru Fernando serving as his deputy. Thurstan boasts a formidable batting line-up capable of posting massive totals. Middle-order maestro Rachintha De Silva has been the backbone of the innings, accumulating 610 runs, including a masterful 112 against Nalanda College. He is well supported by Akhen De Alwis (462 runs, including a century against Royal College) and Nithish Kamalasooriya, who scored a blistering 127 against table-toppers Sri Sumangala College, Panadura. The depth in Thurstan’s batting is further highlighted by Janitha Rukshan (410 runs), the explosive Udarsha Nimsara (who smashed a 72-ball 136), and consistent contributors such as Yohan Senanayake, Hirushan Dias, and Thanuga Palihawadana.
On the bowling front, skipper Yovun Shilpa has marshalled his troops well, but the spearhead of the attack has been vice-captain Sethru Fernando. His ability to deliver multiple six-wicket hauls against top-tier sides such as St. Sebastian’s, Nalanda, and Gurukula makes him a potent threat. He is complemented by left-arm chinaman Thanuga Palihawadana, who recently secured a 10-wicket haul against D.S. Senanayake College, and Sanvidu Dissanayaka, who claimed a five-for against St. Peter’s. This diverse bowling attack poses questions for any batting line-up.
Isipathana College, competing in Division I – Tier B, also faced a rollercoaster season, with a solitary outright win and one first-innings win amidst five losses. Yet, the “Green Machine” is known for its ability to rise to the occasion in this fixture.
Rallying under the leadership of Maleesha Sandaruwan, the team is determined to break the jinx and create history. Sandaruwan leads by example, having scored 370 runs, including a century against St. Servatius’ College, Matara. The batting unit features a strong cast, including Tharun Perera (463 runs), Navindu Umeth (413 runs), and Janith Selaka (331 runs). With contributions expected from Yuveen De Silva, Kavindu Dewshan, Dimuthu Tharuka, and Menula Dambakumbura, Isipathana has the firepower to post a competitive total.
Their bowling attack, however, is where they truly shine. Thithira Sansira Linu Fernando is a major threat; he recently decimated St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy, with a match bag of 11 wickets, including a five-wicket haul in each innings. He is ably supported by Menula Dambakumbura, who took a 10-wicket haul against Wesley College. Together with Dasith Senal, Yeshindu Maneesha, Ujith Nimsara, and Dimuthu Tharuka, Isipathana possesses a fierce bowling line-up capable of dismantling the Thurstan batting order.
The two teams have already clashed in the limited-overs format this season, setting the stage for an intriguing three-day battle. At the P. Sara Oval, Isipathana asserted their dominance in the shortest format, winning the T20 match by eight wickets to clinch the Priya Paranawithana Challenge Trophy. Thurstan, however, bounced back in the 50-over encounter, winning by 59 runs to secure the W.A. de Silva Memorial Trophy.
With honours shared in the shorter formats, the three-day encounter at the SSC Grounds serves as the ultimate decider. As this legendary big match upholds its long-standing tradition of camaraderie and competition, fans can expect a thriller. Will Thurstan’s top-tier experience prevail, or will Isipathana’s hunger for a title after 27 years see them topple the giants?
Thurstan College Squad and Officials
Yovun Silpa (Captain), Sethru Fernando (Vice captain), Hirushan Dias, Sanvidu Dissanayake, Nithish Kamalasooriya, Janul Damhiru, Sachin Premasinghe, Thisen Wickramaratne, Yohan Senanayake, Thanuga Palihawadana, Rison Janson, Inupa Punchihewa, Akhen De Alwis, Imesh De Silva, Rachintha De Silva, Lesanda Hewapathirana, Udarsha Nimsara, Janitha Rukshan, Dinal Induwara, Suneth Goonathilake (Head Coach)
Isipathana College Squad and Officials
Maleesha Sandaruwan (Captain), Dasith Perera (Vice Captain), Navindu Umeth, Kavindu Dewshan, Yeshindu Maneesha, Yuveen De Silva, Sanija Gunawardhane, Tharindu naveen, Janith Hewage, Namindu Imesh, Kusal Nirmala, Menula Dambakumbura, Tharuka Padukkage, Hasindu Kethmina, Janindu Induwara, Dimuthu Tharuka, Tharun Perera, Kenon Jithmin, Savain Yenuka, Arshal Walgamage, Abiru Walpola, Ujith Hettiarachchi, Ashan Imantha, Anuhas Oshitha, Dineth Hettiarachchi, Buthmal Dhanathissa, Thithira Sansira, Udayakumara Abhishek, Dinusha Sammana, Aken Atapattu, Amish Rahul (Assistant Coach), Salinda Ushan (Head Coach), Abhishek Perera (Assistant Coach)
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