Royal bank on experience for Big Match success

Royal First Eleven Cricket Team. Seated (from left):  Anura Prashantha (MIC), Prashan Kalhara, M. A. M. Riyaz (AP/SGM), Ahan Wickramasinghe (Captain), M. V. S. Gunathilaka (Principal), Kavindu Pathirathne ( Vice-Captain), Jehan Mubarak (Head Coach), Isivara Dissanayake and Gishan Balasooriya. Standing, front row (from left): Sineth Jayawardena, Dan Poddiwela, Sonal Amarasekera, Ashen Gamage, Sadisha Rajapaksha, Sehan Herath and Dasis Manchanayake. Standing, back row (from left): Anush Polonnowita, Lahiru Gangewatta, Uvindu Weerasekera, Bulan Weerathunga, Sanvidu Dissanayake, Sehath Perera, Ranuka Mallaviarachchi, Hirusha Wijesena, Omidu Viduneth and Hivin Caldera. Picture by Herbert Perera

Royal College with seven senior players in their ranks are confident of putting up an impressive performance when they take on the traditional rivals S. Thomas’ College in the 142nd Battle of the Blues Inter-School Big Match at the SSC Grounds in Maitland Place, commencing on Thursday.

Royal’s biggest advantage will be the presence of former Sri Lanka Under-19 cap Ahan Wickramasinghe, who will lead the team from Reid Avenue in this encounter, which will be played behind closed doors.

In fact, Wickramasinghe will be Royal’s key batsman having scored a magnificent double century against Trinity College and a hundred against St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya. Another senior player Dasis Manchanayake will be hoping to maintain his excellent form having compiled three half-centuries last year while Sadisha Rajapaksha will look to stamp his class following his valuable contributions to the Sri Lanka Under-19 Team.

Royal’s bowling will revolve around the left-arm spinner Gishan Balasooriya and right-arm off-spinner Prashan Kalhara, with both having captured 17 wickets each in five matches.

The former returned season best figures of five for 31 against Trinity while the latter captured five for 20 against Ananda College.

They will have the backing of the two right-arm fast bowlers Kavindu Pathirathne and Dan Poddiwela.