St. John’s has the edge over rivals Jaffna Central
The Battle of the North encounter between St John’s and Jaffna Central is one of the oldest big matches to be played in the Jaffna Peninsula. It was not hindered even during the ethnic conflict.
So again all arrangements have been finalized to conduct the much looked forward to event between the two top institutions in Jaffna which will be played for the 106th time on March 8, 9 and 10 at the Jaffna Central ground.
St John’s leads in the tally of wins in the series with 33 victories as against 27 to their opponents Jaffna Central. But the Johnians last recorded their win in the series in 2004 while the Central boys came out winners last year (2011).
But the scale this time out is in favour of St John’s led by fifth year coloursman Jesuthasan Adrian while Jaffna Central under third year coloursman T. Kokulan who will be looking forward to turn the apple cart from the favourite tagged opponents.
St John’s this season have been one of the outstanding teams in Jaffna as they have played 12 matches and won six outright against Canagaratnam MMV, Jaffna Hindu College, Skandavarothya College, Jaffna College, Manipay Hindu and Mahajana College and their only defeat was against the strong S. Tho- mas Mt Lavinia side.
Jaffna Central on the other hand have two outright wins and two defeats from the eight matches that they have played. They recorded wins over Manipay Hindu and Jaffna College while losing to Jaffna Hindu and Kokuvil Hindu with the rest ending in draws.the two teams posses freshers who have performed well during the inter-schools cricket season. St John's apart from skipper Jesuthasan have only two other senior players in deputy skipper Sajeenthiran Rageenthan and Jeyakumar Amidayan, but they have the players who could rise to the occasion.
They will look forward for openers deputy skipper Sajeenthiran and Maheswaran Vintharakan to give the side a flying start for others to gain the much needed confidence. Jeyakumar who has made a ton with a few half tons will be the cynosure of all eyes as the Johnians will be hoping that he could make a big knock to boost their scoreboard along with Navakumaran Kiruthigan, skipper Jesuthasan, Sajeenthiran Kapilaraj and Paramananthan Thuvarakaseelan.
Right arm pacies Ali Akbar Sansajan and Perinparajah Brinthapan along with Thangarajah Kabilan have a big responsibilty in curtailing the Jaffna Central batsmen from putting up a big score while they will looking for support from spinners Jeyakumar, Abraham Anojan and Vintharakan to fulfill the Johnians aim for victory.
Jaffna Central will depend their success in the batting department from skipper Kokulan, P. Darvin, K. Juieskanistan, P. Niroj and S. Nisantharupan while the bowling attack will be in the hands of deputy skipper R. Vathushanan, Niroj, M. Kishanthan and skipper Kokulan who is their top-notch spin bowler who has taken the most number of wickets this season.with Jaffna Central looking for a repeat of last years victory St John's with a strong outfit will be aiming to end the season with a win and increase their tally in the series. Nevertheless it point outs to an interesting three day tussle between the two oldest schools in the Jaffna peninsula.