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S. Thomas', with no less than seven experienced campaigners, should have the edge over their traditional rivals Royal in their 120th Battle of the Blues three-day cricket encounter which is due to start at the SSC grounds, Maitland Place tomorrow.

Despite having the services of many experienced players, the Thomians will definitely miss the services of dashing top order batsman Upeka Fernando who will miss the big 'un this year as he is currently touring India with the Sri Lanka under-19 team.

Leading the Mount Lavinia school team will be fourth-year coloursman Naren Ratwatte while Suranga Peiris, an equally senior player in his fourth year, will be the vice captain of the Thomian side, which is coached by Dinesh Kumarasinghe. Others who have contributed to S. Thomas' success this season are Gihan Fernando, Lakmal Fernando and Suranga Peiris.

Thomian captain Naren Ratwatte should consider their recent defeat to St. Peter's as a blessing in disguise. It was a good eye opener to the Thomian camp which has now taken a stock of their shortcomings before the all-important big 'un.

Opening batting for the Mount Lavinia boys will be second-year player Zakir Kanake and 15-year-old debutant Heshan Peiris. As a dependable wicket-keeper batsman, Kanake has aggregated over 425 runs this season with a top score of 92 against St. Joseph's. Young Peiris has got good support from his experienced opening partner and has fared reasonably well. Coming at one down will be dependable Shanaka Caldera who is capable of a big score in this vital game. Caldera has scored over 500 runs this season with an unbeaten 98 against Ananda. Though he failed on his big match debut last year, he is determined to make use of the second chance. All-rounder Gihan Fernando, who has scored nearly 500 runs this season, will add more weight to the Thomian middle order batting. Fernando is sure to capitalise on his memorable debut performance last year.

Meshad Peiris and Lakmal Fernando are two other batsmen who could give a testing time to Royal bowlers. Peiris, playing in his second year, has a top score of 75 against Prince of Wales to his credit. Both Peiris and Fernando have scored over 400 runs each this season.

Royal batsmen will not have the full liberty in going for their strokes with skipper Ratwatte and Lakmal Fernando opening the new ball attack for S. Thomas' with Gihan Fernando coming in as first change. Heading the Thomian spin armoury will be 16-year-old Rajiv Gunawardena, their most successful this season.

S. Thomas' have enjoyed a moderate season this year. Though they were rich in talent and experience, they have not been that successful in turning those into productive results. However, it will be altogether a different story when it comes to the 'big match'. They have enough strength on paper and have the capabilities of rising to the occasion. The Thomian grit has always been witnessed in the series and this year will be no exception. Naren Ratwatte and his boys are determined to give of their best and if they play true to form, the Royalists will not have a rosy time at the SSC.

S. Thomas: (from) Naren Ratwatte (captain), Suranga Peiris, Upeka Fernando, Shanaka Caldera, Zakir Kanake, Meshad Peiris, Harshana Jayawardena, Rajiv Gunawardena, Eshan Mendis, Lahiru Wickremasinghe, Milinda Gunaratne, Sudharshan John, Dennam Williams, Heshan Peiris.

Officials:

Dinesh Kumarasinghe (coach)
Rohana Ekanayake (Master-in-Charge)
Daniel Edirisinghe (Prefect of Games).