The Thurstan Isipathana Big match is to be played on the 27th and 28th of February at the SSC grounds. A media gathering was called by the two schools at the BRC cricket grounds to brief the media on the coming plans and proceedings.
The encounter which is to be played for the 52nd occasion for the Blakon Wijeywardane trophy is to kick off the big match season as always. Present at the head table were the two principals of Thurstan College and Isipathana College Mr. Daya Bandara and Mr. A.C. Perera respectively, Mr. Priya Paranawithana, the general secretary of the Thurstan College OBA, Mr. Daminda Cooray, Chariman Cricket (Thurstan College), Mr. Hassan Sinhawansa, SNR Vice president (Isipathana College OBA), Mr Kusum De Zoysa, Chairman Cricket (Isipathana College) Mr. R.A.A. Ranasinghe, MIC (Isipathana College), Mr. Ranjith Fernando, MIC (Thurstan College) and the two captains of either school Thimira Jayasinghe (Thurstan College) and Chameera Dissanayake (Isipathana College).
First to address the gathering was the Thurstan College Principal Mr. Daya Bandara who welcome the audience while mentioning that “both teams have done well this season and we can expect a very competitive encounter providing a great exhibition of skill and talent to the whole country”. He wished both teams good luck and said to look forward to an unforgettable match on the 27th and 28th of February.
The Isipathana College Principal Mr. A.C. Perera was stressed on changing the perception created in the minds of the Sri Lankan community when it comes to the Thurstan Isipathana Big match as “it is generally associated with plenty of fistfights and conflicts”. “We took the initiative in the 50th encounter to stop this perception created and make this encounter a rather harmonious one with both school displaying acts of camaraderie and brotherhood” said the Principal who also went on to say that “we also canned what the encounter was called, it was a big clash but, today there are no clashes but brotherhood, festivity and fun”. On the topic of the joint cycle parade to be held on the 26th of February Mr. Perera said “this will be a combined cycle parade between the two schools as they both take to the streets of Colombo together, perhaps making this the first in Sri Lankan Big Match season history”.
Thimira Jayasinghe the Thurstan College captain briefly wished his opposing team and said “we have a really strong team this year. Having recorded 5 outright wins and 5 first innings wins we are confident that we can put on a good match this year”. His opposing captain Chameera Dissanayake too wished the Thurstan team and went on to say “our team is well focused and given the fact that we have two outstanding Sri Lanka U19 players, it gives us the moral boost and confidence to give it all we have and put make sure we win this year”.
With the Big match season in the air, you can almost smell the friendly rivalry to be dished out in the weeks to come as Sri Lanka turns a new outlook with cycle parades, school boys trucking and the main events unfolding. It is indeed a season similar to Christmas to any Sri Lankan cricket lover.
