Royal eye revenge against S. Thomas’ in Big Match showdown

Royal College Coach Gamini Perera reckons that his team is better prepared for this year’s Big Match as they look to avenge last year’s defeat at the 147th Battle of the Blues cricket encounter against traditional rivals S. Thomas’ College from March 12 to 14 at the SSC Grounds in Maitland Place.

“It was quite a setback but in the game of cricket you got to take chances, trust your players and trust your skills. We dominated that Big Match for basically one session in less than three days,” Perera told the Sunday Observer.

“The players are aware that there is a score to be settled. So, obviously we have to minimise our mistakes and if we play up to our potential we will be right in it.”

“It has made them hungrier and obviously losing in that manner after declaring in both innings. It took a toll on us but obviously as I said they are hungrier and they know that they have a score to settle and they are very eager to turn the result back in our favour,” he said.

However, S. Thomas’ Head Coach Nilanka Peiris (Jr) said that it will be a new contest altogether when the match gets underway on March 12.

“I don’t think last year’s win will be an advantage or a disadvantage for us going into the Big Match,” Peiris told the Sunday Observer.

“Royal dominated play in all those eight sessions but our boys took control after tea and dominated the last session.”

Peiris was optimistic about the team’s chances in this year’s Big Match as they have made steady progress, both individually and as a unit.

“We started the season well and all the players performed well during the first few matches. But in the first term our team didn’t perform that well. Now actually, we have done some extra work with the players and they are all ready for the Big Match,” he said.

Royal (From): Rehan Peiris (Captain), Yasindu Dissanayake (Vice-Captain), Vimath Dinsara, Ramiru Perera, Sasindu Mapa, Himaru de Silva, Gagan Gamage, Nithesh Jayasinghe, Rasindu Randira, Nithum de Silva, Vinuka Kodithuwakku, Usitha Ileperuma, Dushen Udawela, Mahima Silva, Manish Wijesundera, Udantha Gangewatte, Hirun Liyanarachchi, Thevindu Wewalwala, Induwara Wickramarachchi, Adam Rahimdeen and Mathisha Tissera.

S. Thomas’ (From): Avinash Fernando (Captain), Aaron De Silva (Vice-Captain), Reshon Solomons, Jaden Amaraweera, Abheeth Paranawidana, Ludeesha Matarage, Nethum Withanage, Akhilesh Rajakaruna, Aaron Kodithuwakku, Shanil Perera, Chrishen Warnasuriya, Vihanga Mathangaweera, Stevon Peiris, Raphael Hettige, Chanuth Eheliyagoda, Minon Warnasuriya, Chelan Weerasinghe, Mahith Rajapaksa, Chamash Gunawardene, Sineru Tantriwatte, Methuka Gunaratne, Dineth Peiris, Gimhan Mendis and Aaron Wickraamasinghe.