Keen tussle expected at Moratuwa
The big match fever for the year 2014 gets underway next week with two matches down for decision and one of these encounters is in the cricket crazy town of Moratuwa where the two leading cricket playing schools St Sebastian’s and Prince of Wales will clash in the 64th Battle of the Golds scheduled to be played on March 7 and 8 at De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa.
St. Sebastian’s Team
It will be interesting to see how the two teams will battle it out in the middle as looking back at the performances of the two teams during the season they have had fluctuated fortunes.
Both the teams have been unable to remain unbeaten with the two sides having played the same number of matches of 17. St Sebastian’s have two outright wins against Thurstan and De Mazenod whilst losing to Nalanda.
In contrast Prince of Wales have five outright wins against Isipathana, Mahanama, St. Sylvester’s, Moratu MV and Mahinda Galle while losing four. But when they clash in their traditional encounter the approach to the game is completely different as the players put in all their grit and courage to make it happen.
Prince of Wales Team
Prince of Wales this time out will be led by Ashen Mendis. However they also have the services of last year’s captain Kusal Mendis.
Due to his national duty commitments Kusal was able to represent his school in only five matches but showed his top form cracking a ton and two half tons and he will one of the players that the Sebs will have to take note of.
However the cynosure of all eyes will be the Cambrians opener Shanuka Dulaj who had the honour of being the first to reach the 1000 runs milestone this season.
The stylish left hand batsman has scored nearly 1400 runs which includes three tons and five half tons and added to that he has been a top bowler too bagging 45 wickets.
The Cambrians also have in their ranks players in the caliber of Ashen Mendis who has scored over 700 runs, Gayan Chamara the other opener of the side with over 550 runs, Hasitha Lanka also with over 550 runs and Krishen Aponso with over 450 runs to boost their batting.The bowling will revolve around their two spinners the right and left combination of Jayanga Peiris who has taken 85 wickets this season and Thilan Nimesh who has taken over 70 wickets while Shanuka Dulaj and Sachith Pushpakumara will be expected to support the duo.
St Sebastian’s will be led by Sri Lanka youth player and allrounder Anuk Fernando who was also a member of the Sri Lanka U19 team. Anuk too was unable to represent his school the full season as he played in only four matches.
Anuk Fernando-Captain
But he has two top batsmen in Sangeeth Cooray who is their top scorer this season with over 850 runs inclusive of three tons and three half tons and Kusal Lakthina who has scored over 750 runs to spearhead the Sebs batting.
Avishka Fernando the other centurion of the side who has scored over 600 runs is the other batsman that the Sebs will be looking forward to keep the scoreboard moving.
The Sebs bowling department will be spearheaded by the left and right arm spin combination of Lahiru Heshan and Isuru Mendis who together has 90 wickets between them.
Skipper and pacie Anuk Fernando too will have to take a lot of responsibility in curtailing their opponents from putting up a big score along with Umeshka Morais who has been in the wickets this season.
Ashen Mendis-Captain
St Sebastian’s Sanitha de Mel led his side to victory in both the versions three years ago (2011) and they will be looking to achieve the same feat this year too while Prince of Wales whose last win was in 1977 under the leadership of Pemlal Fernando will be aiming to break the 36 year old hoodoo.
The two day encounter will be followed with one day match which is the 29th in the series slotted to be played on March 9 at the same venue. From the 28 matches that have been played the two teams are on par with 13 wins each and two matches being abandoned due to rain.-MSA