- 146th ‘Battle of the Blues’ Day-1
Yesterday (6), the SSC Grounds in Colombo came to life to host yet another Royal-Thomian ‘Battle of the Blues’ encounter, this time, the 146th edition of the longest uninterrupted school cricket series in the island nation.
Royal’s deputy skipper and opener Rehan Peiris was the starboy of the opening day as he smashed 21 boundaries and three sixers all over the park. Peiris scored his century in style with a thumping sixer to etch his name in history books.
Thomian skipper Kavindu Dias won the toss and invited the Royalists led by Ramiru Perera to take the first lease of the wicket. Royal College are fielding 6 coloursmen whilst S. Thomas’ College have a staggering 12 coloursmen in their outfit.
The lads from Reid Avenue accepted the challenge and went on to post a commendable 319 runs before declaring with a star class performance coming from their Vice Captain and 3rd year coloursman Rehan Peiris who notched up a scintillating innings of 158 off 220 deliveries. Thevindu Wewalwala, coming off the middle order scored a much needed 48 when the Royalists were in trouble.
In the bowling department for the Thomians, Darien Diego picked up two wickets whilst skipper Kavindu Dias who bowled the most number of overs (20) bagged got two for 71.
Both teams are coached by two well-known alumni who went onto etch their names in the ‘Battle of the Blues’ history, Gamini Perera (Royal) and Nilanka Peiris (S. Thomas’).
Today (7) is Day-2 and much is expected from the Thomians who are yearning for victory since their unexpected loss against an underdog Royal side in 2023. STC last won in 2019.
Brief scores – Stumps Day 1
Royal 319/7d (78) – Rehan Pieris 158, Thevindu Wewalwala 48, 2/43, Kavindu Dias 2/71
S. Thomas’ 32/0 (10) – Avinash Fernando 18 not out, Jaden Amaraweera 14 not out
Stumps Day-1: S. Thomas’ Trail by 287 runs
Royal College 1st Innings
Rehan Peris c Solomons b Diego 158
Hirun Liyanarachchi b Dias 9
Isula Geeganage lbw b Dias 4
Vimath Dinsara c Amaraweera b de Silva 25
Ramiru Perera c & b 15
Thevindu Wewalwala c & b Goonewardena 48
Yasindu Dissanayake not out 25
Sehandu Sooriyaarachchi b de Silva 1
Ranuka Malaviarachchi not out 4
Extras : 30 (b 19 , lb 0 , nb 5, w 6, pen 0)
Total : 319/7 (78 Ov, RR: 4.09)
Bowling : Darien Diego (14-1-43-2), Kavindu Dias (20-3-71-2), Jaden Amaraweera (9-2-30-1), Dineth Goonewardena (15-0-60-1), Aaron de Silva (12-1-65-1), Ayman Anzary (8-0-31-0)
S. Thomas’ College 1st Innings
Avinash Fernando not out 18
Jaden Amaraweera not out 14
Extras : 0
Total : 32/0 (10 Ov, RR: 3.2)
Stumps Day-1 : S. Thomas’ Trail by 287 runs
PHOTO Lalith Perera