Saints limited overs battle tomorrow

St. Joseph’s College
Seated (L-R): Torin Pitigala (Asst. Coach), Dilan Ramanayake (Head Coach), Asiri Caldera (Master In Charge), Dunith Wellalage, Shevon Daniel (Captain), Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi (Rector), Rev. Fr. Priyan Tissera (Prefect Of Games), Sadeesh Jayawardena (Vice Captain), Sanjeewa Fernando (Master In Charge - 2XI), Dulaj Madushanka (Trainer), Kavindu Perera (Coach - 2XI)  
Standing 1st Row: Hirun Kapurubandara, Deshan Senevirathne, Avintha De Alwis, Yenula Dewthusa, Gagan Chamodh, Shenuk Serasinghe, Lahiru Amarasekara, Keneth Liyanage, Senodh Soysa, Sahan Dabare  
Standing 2nd Row: Hiran Jayasundara, Mithira Thenura, Naren Muralidaran, Kaven Pathirana, Muditha Lakshan, Rishma Amarasinghe, Abishek Jayaweera  

St. Peter’s College
Seated from Left to Right: Manuka Gunarathne (Physical Trainer), Janudika Sriyapala (1 XI Coach), Danal Hemananda, Sunanda Fernando (Sports Secretary/MIC Senior), Lahiru Dawatage (Vice Captain), Rev. Fr. Milan Bernard (Sports Coordinator), Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo (Rector), Wanuja Kumara (Captain), Roger Wijesuriya (Head Coach), Wasantha Haputhanthri (Junior MIC), Shanaka Fernando (Coach)  
Standing from left to Right – 1 Row: Vishen Halambage, Niman Umesh, Sanshay Gunathilake, Nimuthu Gunawardane, Lakindu Sachin, Rusanda Gamage, Shenal Boteju, Shennon Rodrigo  
Standing from left to Right – 2 Row: Lashmika Perera, Abilash Wellalage, Dilina Damsara, Ishira Ayupala, Salith Gallage  

By M. Shamil Amit  

Traditional rivals St. Joseph’s College and St. Peter’s College will battle it out in their annual Battle of the Saints limited overs match tomorrow (15) at the P Sara Stadium.

The limited over encounter is played for the Fr. Peter Pillai Trophy,and this is the 48th in the series. The Josephians lead the series with 25 wins while St. Peter’s have 20 wins, with two matches being washed out.
The annual big match, which was scheduled to be played today and tomorrow has been postponed, due to the prevailing uncertainty, and the Daily Mirror understands that the match is most likely to be played on July 18 and 19 at the same venue.

Of the 87 two-day encounters so far, the Josephians have 12 wins, the last of which came in 2008 under the leadership of Ruwantha Fernandopulle.

The Peterites have won ten, winning for the last time in 2016 under the captaincy of Vinu Mohotti.
The two teams are oozing with talent, spearheaded by two players having represented the Sri Lanka Under 19 team with Shevon Daniel in charge of St. Joseph’s and Wanuja Sahan leading St. Peter’s.
Although there has not been much school cricket this year, the quality of players on either side will make for a 
compelling contest.

Apart from their captain, the Josephians could also have international cricket Dunith Wellalage available for this match, unless he is included in the squad for the Test series against Pakistan starting on Saturday.
Other key players for St. Joseph’s will be Sadeesh Jayawardena, Hiran Jayasundara, Mithira Thenura, Yenula Dawatage, and Muditha Lakshan.

The Peterite captain Sahan will bank of the talents of Danal Hemananda, Lahiru Dawatage, Niman Umesh, Sanshay Gunathilaka, Shenal Boteju and Shennon Rodrigo to deliver in a bid to hold onto the trophy.
First played at the St. Peter’s ground in Bambalapitiya in 1933, the inaugural encounter was won by St. Joseph’s College, under the captaincy of Robert Fernando.

Two matches, in 1942 and 1943 were not played due to the Second World War.

The limited over version began in 1975 with the Peterites led by Bernard Wijetunge made a winning start while the Josephians were led by Dushan Soza.