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Royal College, under the able leadership of stylish top order batsman Thushan Amarasuriya, are determined to come out with their best effort this season when they take on their traditional rivals S.Thomas' College, Mt.Lavinia in their 120th 'Battle of the Blues' annual cricket encounter which starts at the SSC grounds, Maitland Place on Thursday.

The strongpoint in the Royal camp in their batting which has been shaping well with skipper Amarasuriya leading from front.

The Reid Avenue boys will expect a solid foundation from their openers Ravi Peiris and Malinda Thotuwilage. When the season began, Thotuwilage was not a reputed batsman, but as the season progressed the right-hander blossomed to become one of the most successful schoolboy batsman this season. Undoubtedly Royal will expect a big innings from consistent Thotuwilage who has scored 750 runs this season with a top score of 92 against Trinity.

On the other hand, experienced Peiris, though not being successful as his partner, has played a good supporting role to Thotuwilage. Peiris will be playing in his second big match. Occupying the vital No.3 spot in the Royal line-up will be that ever-reliable skipper Amarasuriya who has let his bat to do the talking. He has aggregated nearly 700 runs this season with a top score of 84 against Prince of Wales.

If the Thomian bowlers allow experienced middle order batsman Ruchira Jayasuriya to settle down, the lanky Royal vice captain is sure to treat the spectators with some attractive power play. He has scored over 500 runs this season. The others who will add weight to the Royal batting line-up are Anjelo Perera, Andrew Perera and Harith Rajakaruna.

Sharing the new ball attack for the Royalists will be left-armer Sanjeeva Udamalagala and debutant Harshana Rajakaruna. The duo have shared over 70 wickets among them and will look dangerous in the big 'un. Others who will add variety to the Royal bowling attack are Harith Rajakaruna, Fazal Ahamed and Rangana Rajapakse.

Missing from the Royal line-up will be that experienced all-rounder Jehan Mubarak who will miss the 'big match' due to his commitments with the Sri Lanka Under-19 team currently touring India.

Royalist Sumithra Warnakulasuriya is the highest individual scorer for either side in the series with his marathon knock of 197 made in 1980.

Of the 119 matches played in the series, Royal lead with 32 wins. Royal had the distinction of registering two successive wins in 1990 under Udaya Lakmal Wijesena and in 1991 under Rohan Iriyagolle.

Royal have often showed their fighting qualities in the 'Battle of the Blues' series. With a formidable outfit, the Reid Avenue boys are capable of producing another fine effort over the Thomians this year.

Royal (from):

Thushan Amarasuriya (captain), Ruchira Jayasuriya (vice-captain), Jeahn Mubarak, Harith Rajakaruna, Sanjeeva Udamalagala, Ravi Peiris, Malinda Thotuwilage, Danushka Perera, Anjelo Perera, Harshana Rajakaruna, Andrew Perera, Charith Nagodawithana, Rangana Rajapakshe, Kamran Aziz, Fazal Ahamed, Ruwanga Kumararatne, Amila Kariyakarawana, Charith Salgado, Sampath Edirimuni, Dushyantha Weeraman, Sajiva Fernando, Shafraz Saldin.

Harilal N. de Silva (Cricket Manager)
Nihal Kodituwakku (Coach)
Sudath Liyanagunawardena (Master-in-charge)
Ranjith Senanayake (Prefect of Games)