Fernando blasts Royal College out of trouble

Royal College 300 for 9 (Fernando 137, Walpita 3-46) v St Thomas' College
Scorecard

A superb hundred by Charith Fernando rescued Royal College on the opening day of the 129th Battle of the Blues at the SSC. Royal College, who had been 67 for 5 in the morning session, closed on 300 for 9.

St Thomas' stuck Royal College in on what appeared to be a good pitch, and the gamble immediately paid off as both openers fell cheaply. Kusal Perera and Banuka Rajapaksa then made sedate progress before three wickets fell for three runs to leave Royal College tottering on 67 for 5.

Kithruwan Vithanaga and Fernando again rebuilt the innings either side of lunch, adding 79 for the sixth wicket only for two more quick wickets to fall to leave them 149 for 7. It was then that Fernando, who has had a patchy season, cut loose, and he found the lower order offered him good support. He eventually fell in the penultimate over for a four-and-a-half hour 137, made off 203 balls with 18 fours.

His eighth-wicket stand of 67 with Kanishka Boteju broke the series record of 61 set in 1993, and the ninth wicket partnership of 81 with Yasith Abeykoon eclipsed the record of 80 set in 1950.

As if the significance of the game needed underlining, a stockbroker in Colombo reported trade was very quiet. "Everyone is at the Roy-Tho match," he said. "There are no big deals happening today."