Thurstan have just completed a successful season and have beaten Zahira, Wesley and Royal quite convincingly. They have a better track record over their opponents and will be hoping to continue with their excellent form.
In contrast, Isipatana have failed to produce that same form but have maintained an unbeaten record in the current season. They have mainly rallied around through the individual brilliance of Suresh Perera and Kanchana Madugalle. Both have lived upto expec- tations and have contributed a great amount towards their suc- cess.
The absence of star player Nuwan Soysa has turned out to be a major set back for Isipatana and will have a tough time in dismissing their opponents. Thurstan have a good batting line-up even without the services of Hemantha Boteju who will be representing the Sri Lanka under-19 team against the touring Indian under-19 side.
Skipper Manoj Hettiarachchi, Sumedha Bandaratilleke, Chamara Liyanage and Sudhara Jayawardena have proved themselves in the current season and are capable of making a big score. Thurstan also have an equally good bowling attack and can certainly cause some problems to their opponents. Even then it is unlikely that Isipatana may collapse under pressure as they too possess a formidable batting line-up spearheaded by Suresh Perera.
The Isipatana captain has emerged as their leading run-getter and will be backed up by vice captain Kanchana Madugalle, Rangana Fernando and Muditha Fernando.
Thurstan are currently leading the series 3-2 and their previous victory was recorded in 1992 under the leadership of Mackenzie Perera. Isipatana registered their previous victory in 1986 under the captaincy of Chetaka Perera.
The teams:
Thurstan (from): Manoj Hettiarachchi (captain), Sumedha Bandaratilleke, Chamara Liyanage, Sudhara Jayawardena, Sampath Nanayakkara, Sameera Samarasinghe, Arjuna Dayananda, Gihan Sendenayake, Tharindu Wickremasinghe, Indunil Wickremasinghe, Srikanth Wedage, Nalaka de Silva, Kapila Dharshana, Udayanga Chamara, Suresh Perera, Nifaz Deen.
Isipatana (from): - Suresh Perera (captain), Kanchana Madugalle, Amal Wanigasekera, Muditha Fernando, Rangana Fernando, Manaram Subasinghe, Nilantha Atapattu, Sahan Wijesekera, Shalinda Nanayakkara, Prasad Niroshan, Vidura Nuwan, Kanchana Rodrigo, Gayan Mendis, Ravi Jayasuriya, Krishan Jayawardena.
Umpires: Messrs B.C.Cooray and C.D.C.Rodrigo. Stand bye: D.C.Weerasinghe.