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36th big match at the Sara Stadium

Isipatana with a good all-round side will have the edge when they confront their traditional rivals Thurstan College in their 36th annual cricket encounter which begins at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium, today.

Both teams have remained unbeaten throughout the season but Isipatana with their all round capabilities are confident of putting up a good performance. They have lived upto expectations and have moved into the top ten of the Elephant Lemonade Cup 'A' Division tournament.

However the Thurstanites are capable of rising to the occasion and they have performed this on several occasions quite successfully. Their batting line up is the strong point and they will be hoping that the top order would click well in this important encounter. Skipper Arjuna Dayananda has always led the way and will be determined to continue with his excellent form.

But the cynosure of all eyes will be on opener Nalaka de Silva who is just few runs short of completing one thousand runs for the current season. He is one of their key players in the side and is expected to play a dominant role along with last year skipper Tharindu Wickremasinghe, Chamith Aravinda and Dhammika Premadasa.

The Isipatanians do have a penetrative bowling attack and if the conditions favour them, they are certain to make their presence felt throughout the game. Kanchana Rodrigo will spearhead their attack and will be backed up by Manoj Fernando, Mohamed Hariz and Nilantha Atapattu all of whom have plenty of experience behind them.

Thurstan are currently leading the series 3-2 having recorded their previous win in 1992 under the captaincy of Mackenzie Perera. Isipatana registered their last win in 1986 under the leadership of Chetaka Perera.

The teams

Thurstan (from): Arjuna Dayananda (captain), Nalaka de Silva, Chamith Aravinda, Tharindu Wickremasinghe, Dhammika Premadasa, Nisal Randhika, Damith Indika, Damith Wickremaratne, Thushara Perera, Gihan de Silva, Dakshina Liyanage, Tharaka Perera, Thammera Rupasinghe, Mohamed Riyaz, Indrajith Jayaratne, Niffaz Deen, Shanka de Silva, Kanchana Malik.

Isipatana (from): Krishantha Jayawardena (captain), Kanchana Rodrigo, Muditha Fernando, Manoj Fernando, Shan Wijesekera, Nilantha Atapattu, Malinda Wickremasinghe, Nuwan Chamara Sampath, Yoga Peiris, Mohamed Hariz, Malinda Abeyratne, Samantha Wijesinghe, Hiran Perera, Thejakith Rodrigo, Mohamed Farid.