2nd XI Cricket: Thomians win Mini Battle by an Innings and 38 Runs

The Thomian 2nd XI Cricket Team stunned the Royalists by winning the Mini Battle by an Innings and 38 runs and claiming the Reid-Gunesekera Shield for the first time since it was introduced in 2019. The Thomians were caretakers of the shield by dafault, being the team to have last won the Mini Battle under Ishan Perera in 2016. The Mini battle is being played after a hiatus of 2 years and as a result, only Thomian Skipper Dhiren de Silva had prior experience of having played a Mini Battle. He lead the team of 10 freshers admirably, to claim the coveted shield.

On this occassion, it was Ashen Perera who was the tormentor in chief for the Thomians, claiming a match bag of 9 for 58 and scoring 55* with the bat. He follows in the footsteps of his father, who was instumental in ensuring STC’s win in the 1995 mini battle, with a match bag of 8 wickets under the captaincy of Kanchana Ranadheera.

Perera wreaked havoc in the Royal first Innings with his unconventional ‘hybrid’ bowling action, which bamboozled the Royal batsmen. In fact he bowled out the Royal Opening Batsman in his first ball, only to realize he had overstepped. However, instead of being discouraged, he was encouraged by that incident realizing that the Royalists were struggling to read him off the hand, and went on to wipe out the opposition cheaply for just 49 runs, claiming 5 important wickets for himself.

In reply, the Thomians compiled a rapid 192 run scorecard, with Sadev Soysa adding a brisk 36 runs. Ashen Perera again came into the limelight with an attractive 55 not out helping the Thomians set up a comanding first innings lead of 143 runs.

Royalists, resuming at 12/2 overnight, lost wickets at regular intervals once again, with only Anik Fernando showing some stiff resistance with 60 runs. Ashen Perera again lead the bowling offensive for the Thomians taking 4 for 40, with support from Yatindra Siriwardene who also had a notable outing for his alma mater.

Winning Moment (video)

Mini Battle of the Blues

S. Thomas’ College Vs Royal College 2nd Xi Match Played at Mount Lavinia On 3/4 March 2023.
Royal College won the toss and chose to bat first.

Royal College 49 in 28.4 Overs
Ashen Perera 5/18, Yatindra Siriwardene 3/22

S. Thomas’ College 192 in 58.4 Overs

Sadev Soysa 36, Arith Adikaram 24, Ashen Perera 55* ,Yatindra siriwardene 23,
Dinura Senarathne 3/42,Thamod Yasoda 2/28 Anush Polonnowita 2/21

Royal college overnight 12/2 and 105 IN 44.2 Overs

Anik Fernando 60,

Ashen Perera 4/40, Shanil Perera 2/20, Darien Diego 2/34, Yatinda Siriwardene 2/5

S THOMAS COLLEGE WON BY INNINGS AND 38 RUNS

The 1st XI team will take on St. Peter’s College at Bambalapitiya on the 7th and 8th of March, before heading over to the SSC on the 16th, 17th & 18th for the Grand Tamasha of School Cricket in Sri Lanka, the 144th Battle of the Blues.