Thurstan vs Isipathana Millennium Legends clash today at Colts
Providing an opportunity to reminisce their past achievements, while laying a platform to share the camaraderie, members of the cricket teams that played during the millennium representing Isipathana College and Thurstan College, will feature in a first-of-a-kind, at the Thurstan vs Isipathana Millennium Legends Big Match cricket encounter. The Twenty20 cricket encounter will be played today, January 28, at the Colombo Colts Cricket Club ground, beginning from 9.30a.m.
Played by the former players of both schools, Isipathana and Thurstan, who featured in their annual Big Match encounter during the years 1999 and 2000, this inaugural will include a blend of the teams played during the two years. Both schools have been featured in similar previous encounters, but this will be the first occasion where players of both teams featured in the millennium big match are contesting against each other.
“This is a unique encounter, where players of Isipathana and Thurstan who turned out in the 1999 and 2000 big matches are playing against each other. This is the first time such an encounter featuring a certain era are involved in such a match, which we intend to expand among other schools as well,” stated Shazmin Mahath, an alumni of Isipathana, who operates as a key member of the organising committee, Isipathana Millennium Batch.
This will very first occasion after almost 23 years that the former star school cricketers, who are now in their mid-ages, will be meeting to recall their past heroics on the field. Most of these players who have been named in both squads, have represented the ‘Battle of the Brothers’ annual big match encounter, which will celebrate its 61st year this time around.
“We initially organised this encounter in September last year, but due to unavoidable circumstances, we had to push the dates forward. Now everything has been finalised accordingly and we are happy to eventually see this running, not only today, but in the years to come and among other schools as well,” Mahath added, while explaining certain insights.
Besides the healthy competition, which will provide the ideal platform to recall their yesteryear heroics as school cricketers, the encounter is wholly based on nostalgic grounds. Revisiting the camaraderie of the past, reliving school memories, and celebrating the spirit of sportsmanship are some of the aspects besides providing an opportunity for families of the cricketers to come together and support their loved ones.
“This is certainly a platform for old friends to reconnect, share experiences, and strengthen bonds formed during school days. It will be also an avenue for networking and building new connections among the alumni,” he asserted.
The organisers have also explored the possibility of inviting teachers both schools, past and present, with the ambition of expressing gratitude to those who guided them as schoolchildren, playing significant roles in their academic activities, while supporting extracurricular activities such as sports.
“The match will provide an opportunity to interact with current teachers and understand the present state of the schools. The event also will serve as a platform to highlight the achievements of both schools, promoting a positive image.”
While looking at ways and means of spreading and encouraging mutual support between the schools, the encounter also aims at fostering a healthy and competitive spirit. The event not only will reunite old friends, but also serves as an inspiration for other schools, contributing to the community spirit and fostering a sense of pride in the shared history of the alumni.
Isipathana will be led by Samith Abegunawardana, and will also include Panduka Kumararatne as his deputy and wicketkeeper. Others in the squad are Tharinda Amarasinghe, Duminda Piyal, Kelum Susantha Cooray, Lasantha Athukorala, Mohamed Minhaj, Shazmin Mahath, Yasas Sankalpa, Seneka Almeida, Kusal Mawella, Niluka Peiris, Thilanka Indika, Mohamed Nawshad, Randika
Cooray, Sajith Peiris and Samantha Wijesinghe. The side is coached by Kapila Manohara, and experienced cricket coach with a good track record.
Thurstan will be led by Rakitha
Gayan while Kasun Randika will be his deputy. Others in the side are wicketkeeper Diluka Bandara, Thaminda Nirmal, Thushara Sanjeewa, Jehan de Silva, Sanath Aponso, Pubhudu Lanka,
Kanchana Malith, Shanaka de Silva, Chamith Aravinda, Sidath Abeywardhana, Gihan de Silva, Kanishka Wijesundara, Shaminda de Alwis, Suresh Rohan and Manoj Wickramasingha.