Rain could decide 34th Sir Richard Aluwihare clash
Trinity College should call the shots but St. Anthony’s College could cause an upset when these two traditional rivals lock horns in their 34th limited over clash for the Sir Richard Aluwihare trophy which will be played at the Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy today with play commencing at 9.45 a.m.
However, regardless of the performance of the two teams the weather gods could have the final say and even could turn out winner as the weather up in the hill capital is unpredictable and it has been raining up until late evening. But the curator of the Asgiriya Stadium Krishan Dias said that the wicket has been kept covered and the wicket will be ready unless there is a heavy downpour overnight. Thirty three matches had been played from the time this series began in 1980. The Antonians are ahead with 16 wins against 14 for the Trinity Lions. Two matches have ended in no result due to rain and this match was not played in 2000 as Trinity’s team was suspended by the then Principal.
The Antonians created one of the major upsets in the series last year by edging out the Trinitians who later went on to win the schools league title, limited over championship and the T20 to rewrite history in school cricket under the captaincy of Niroshan Dickwella. It is left to be seen whether the Antonians could repeat this performance at the Asgiriya Stadium today.
Trinity College led by Dinuk Wickramaratne have a good batting line up in deputy skipper Rajitha Jayatunga, flashy Bhaghya Pallihawadana, Laksitha Pallihawadana, Arjuna Jayasinghe, Amrith Srimahan, Nushan Weerasinghe and Ron Chandragupta.
The bowling attack is likely to be opened by Amrith Srimahan and Bhaghya Pallihawadana. But the Lions will also look to their spinners like Lakshan Jayasinghe, Raveen Sayer, Dinuk Wikramanayake and Charith Sudaraka.
The Antonians will be led by all rounder Sachin Bulathsinhala who has been the mainstay of the side and often had to shoulder the responsibility alone. The others too should rally round him and contribute their might.
The Antonians batting has not struck it rich this season and will depend on openers Pavithra Nanayakkara, Kanishka Uggalpaya, Viraj Deepal, Nimesha Gurusinghe, Sachin Bulathsinhala, Damithra Panditharathne and to some extent Harsha Ebert and Dilan Bandara.
The task of restricting the Lions will lie largely on Charles Praveen, Sachin Bulathsinhala, Pavithra Nanayakkara, Kavinda Udapola and Hema Srikannan.