Spinners Thanuga Palihawadana (5/44) and Sethru Fernando (4/36) bowled well to pick 9 wickets between them to wreck the Isipathana second innings for 109 as Thurstan fought back to record an innings and 8-run win in their 63rd Battle of the Brothers cricket encounter and bagged the Blackham Wijewardena Trophy at the SSC grounds yesterday. The match ended with almost two sessions to spare.
It was Thurstanites’ superb bowling performance with spin duo Thanuga Palihawadana the leg spinner and off spinner Sethru Fernando leading the way to get back to back victories and now Thurstan lead the series 8-4.
Thurstan gave opponents huge pressure with a 117 runs first innings lead on the second day and Isipathana were 22 for 2 wickets at close of second days’ play with 95 runs more to erase their innings deficit yesterday. But two spinners Thanuga Palihawadana and Sethru Fernando bowled exceptionally well to end Isipathana innings at 109 in 51.3 overs. Isipathana skipper Maleesha Sandaruwan ( 20) and Kavindu Dewshan (21) were the only two batters to reach 20- run mark while others failed to impress with the bat.
Thanuga Palihawadana ended with superb figures of 5 for 44 in 21.3 overs also earned the Best Bowler award for his match bag of eight wickets while Sethru Fernando took 4 for 36 in his 15 over spell and was adjudged the Best All- rounder and Man of the Match. Rachintha de Silva the most successful Thurstan batter who made a fine knock of 71 was named Best Batter and Best Striker of the match.
Thurstan skipper Yovun Shilpa received the winning Blackham Wijewardena trophy from Varuna Godagedara the distinguished Isipathana old boy who was the chief guest at the awards ceremony.
Special Awards
Best Fielder – Dasith Senal (Isipathana), Best Bowler – Thanuga Palihawadana (Thurstan), Best Batsman – Rachintha de Silva (Thurstan),Best Striker – Rachintha de Silva (Thurstan), Best All-rounder – Sethru Fernando (Thurstan), Man of the Match – Sethru Fernando (Thurstan)
By Dhammika Ratnaweera
2026 April 6th
