Royal-Thomian clash for Mustangs Trophy

S Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia will go all out to regain the Mustangs Trophy when they confront traditional rivals Royal College, Colombo in their 37th limited over match at the SSC grounds on March 17 (Saturday).

The lads from Mount Lavinia last won the trophy in 2008 when they edged out Royal by two wickets at the P Sara Oval but since then Royal have dominated the series emerging victorious by five wickets (2009), 137 runs (2010) and seven wickets (2011).

Thirty six matches have been played in the series with Royal winning 19 and the Thomians 16 with the 2002 encounter ending in a tie with both teams being dismissed for the identical score of 216.

The Thomians will rely on fourth year coloursman Chamad Pathirana (who scored 99 in the Big Match), Asiri Wickramanayake, Javed Bongso, skipper Sachin Peiris, Thilaksha Sumanasiri, Umesh Fernando, Devin Jayasinghe and Madushan Ravichandrakumar to build up a big total.

The batting sparkle for Royal will be provided by Heshan Kumarasiri (who made a well compiled 127 in the Big Match), Roanaka Ahangama, Isuru Gunatilleke, skipper Imal Liyanage, Milan Abeysekera and 15- year-old Chamika Karunaratne. The highest individual score was notched up by Royalist Heshan Morawaka who made 106 in 2004 while Chalaka Bogoda (104 not out) in 2010 and Ramith Rambukwella (103 not out) in 2011 are the next highest scorers in the series.

Thomian Upekha Fernando scored 84 in 1998 surpassing the previous highest of 83 by Dirk Tissera of S Thomas in 1991. Thomian Kapila Wijegunawardena (6 for 21) in 1982 has the best bowling performance in the series with Manaram Hettige (5 for 22) being the best for Royal.