(UTV|COLOMBO) – The green Isipathanians under the leadership of Leshan Amarasinghe are hoping to break the 21-year hoodoo this year in their annual cricket encounter ‘Battle of Brothers’ against traditional rivals Thurstan College which is scheduled to be played on February 28 and 29 at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds for the 57th occasion.
After 56 traditional encounters the series tally stands at four wins to Isipathana and six wins to Thurstan College. Isipathana last tasted success in 1999 under Krishantha Jayawardena when they won by seven wickets. The Pathanians will to put their best foot forward to win this year.
Amarasinghe, a fourth year coloursman and wicket keeper has led Isipathana to outright win against St. Benedict’s College by 10 wickets this year. Under his captaincy the Pathanians have secured six first innings wins and lost three outright to Royal, St. Aloysius and St. Joseph’s and four on first innings. Amarasinghe has piled up 839 runs this season with two centuries and two half tons. His best was 159 against Maliyadeva College while the other century was made against Maris Stella College. Second year batting all-rounder Savindu Uthsara has accumulated 513 runs and has been impressive with the ball capturing 48 wickets and claimed five-wicket hauls in a match twice against St. Benedict’s and St. Joseph’s. Left-handed Savindu has made three half centuries with a highest score of 90 against Maliyadeva College.
A second year coloursman and left hander Ravindu Ratnayake has scored 774 runs with two tons against Wesley and Maliyadeva and has been a consistent contributor in the strong Isipathana batting line up.
Another left hander Thevindu Dickwella who has reached the 550-run mark and second year coloursman Lisura Vinath who has totalled 313 runs will uplift Pathanians to a strong position.
Left-arm spinner Sithuka Gunawardana and Yasiru Kasthuriarachchi have been their key bowlers claiming 30 and 29 wickets respectively. They will spearhead the bowling attack and in fact it is the spinners who have done a good job for them. Deputy skipper and fourth year coloursman and all-rounder Dinath Dissanayake will have the responsibility of curtailing the opponents’ batting with his left-arm fast bowling.
Pasindu Liyanaarachchi, Head Coach of Isipathana College said: “I took on the team eight months ago and it is well balanced in batting, bowling and fielding. We have a strong batting line up and they have shown good individual performances during the season. We have four batsmen who have scored over 500 runs and I think our bowlers will do their job well to win this match.”
Dilip Sri Vinoj is giving his fullest support to team as Assistant Coach. (DN)