Could Kingswood break the shackles
Old Cricketers, fans and supporters of Kingswood can be forgiven for thinking that there is a hoodoo and a jinx that precludes success in their Big Match against Dharmaraja. The match will be played on March 21 and 22 at Asgiriya. This is Kandy’s oldest Big Match and when play in the 108th encounter concludes this coming Saturday at the Asgiriya Stadium, the chances are that the 55-year long barren run would have continued.
The Rajans have no such hang-ups, having tasted success in 2011 as well as in 2012. As befits an ‘A’ Division side, the Rajans are the
Kingswood cricket team
more formidable outfit by far. Kingswood, a ‘B’ Division team, has had their moments but those have been few and far between.
The Rajans have two centurions in Ramesh Ranasinghe and skipper Deneth Lanka. In addition, the former has two half centuries while the latter has one. Tharusha Weragoda (Top score 74 versus Zahira) has certainly come good with the bat. Chandimal de Silva (89 against Vidyartha, 72 against St. Sylvester’s and 52 against Mahinda) is one of the leading run-getters. Sapumal Tennekoon became an overnight hero, with a sterling, defiant innings of 76 against the Antonians.
The Dharmaraja team has been given some good starts by Ranasinghe and left hander Kavishka Dissanaike. Aggression doesn’t always pay and Dissanaike has found this out the hard way however, a half century and useful knocks of 40 (Royal) and thirties against Vidyartha and DSS show that he has potential, deputy skipper Ramesh Ranasinghe is also the stumper of the side.
In common with some other Kandy schools, the Rajans have a modest pace attack. Rajitha Lahiru (best of 3 for 18) and Chandimal de Silva handle the new ball. However, the twin spearheads of the attack and off spinner Deneth Lanka and left armer Venaka Galahitiyawa.
Lanka rattled Royal with a highest of 7 for118, and also picked up 5 for 50 against the Antonians. Galahitiyawa has been prolific as bags of 13 for 92 (Maliyadeva), and 9 for 118 (DSS) testify. One statistic he would like to forget is the 5 for 182 against Ananda in a near 500 run total.
Weragoda is a useful off spinner who has a knack for breaking a partnership. Sapumal Tennakoon has a five-for. Ruchira Pupulewatte, who has come on quite a bit latterly, lends strength to the attack.Supun Bandara, a solid right hander leads Kingswood. He had a good double against Sri Sumangala (42 and 37) and has made many thirties. The star is Meedum Weerasinghe, a left hander who likes to pull. He plays most of the other shots, too. A top score of 70 (Devananda) and knocks of 55 (Sri Sumangala) 53 (STC Matale) and 49 and 36 against Wesley bespeak his run scoring abilities.
Dharmaraja cricket team
The leading all rounder of the side is Tharindu Liyanage, his innings of 97 (Maliyadeva) and 87 (St. Patrick’s) show that he is capable of playing a long innings. He may not be elegant, but is effective. Prabath Jayawickrama has three forties and a couple of thirties. He has shored up the innings on a few occasions. Stumper Ruwantha Hathurusinghe (Top score of 49 against St. Anne’s) is a good middle order Batsman.
No one is in the express category, but Kingswood has four useful pacies in Prabath Jayawickrema, Chaturanga Edirisinghe, Lakmal Monarawila and Champika Aluvihare.
However, the real threat to the Rajans will come from off Spinner Tharindu Liyanage and left armor Chameera Bandara. Liyanage a prolific wicket-taker last season, has had his effectiveness slightly reduced by injury. Bandara has a five-for against St. Patrick’s.
Daminda Weerakoon shows promise with bat and ball.
Kingwood’s resources are modest and they will do well if they can stall the better equipped but inconsistent Rajans.
Dharmaraja has wins over Revata, DS Senanayake and S de S Jayasinghe and losses to Dharmasoka and Dharmapala. Kingwood beat St. Patrick’s but lost to St. Sylvester’s, Anuradhapura Central and Thurstan.
Dharmaraja: Deneth Lanka (Capt), Ramesh Ranasinghe, Chandimal de Silva, Thanusha Weragoda, Kavinda Ratnayake, Venaka Galahitiyawa, Rajitha Lahiru, Deeshan Gunasinghe, Kavishka Dissanaike, Jayapadma Tennekoon, Sapumal Tennekoon, Nivantha Herath, Nipuna Herath, Sachchith Weerasekera, Dinuth Liyanarachchi, Ruchira Pupulewatte.
Officials: Senaka Dissanaike (Coach), Manjula Udagedera (MIC).
Kingswood: Supun Bandara (Capt), Prabath Jayawickrema, Tharindu Liyanage, Menaka Lankathilleke, Chameera Bandara, Meedum Weerasinghe, Champika Aluvihare, Lakmal Monarawila, Dilshan Edirisinghe, Ruwantha Hathurusinghe, Daminda Weerakoon, Dilshan Walisundera, Avishka Chandrasiri, Rachitra Athauda, Thamira Bandara, Gihan Herath, Shanuka Ratnayake. Officials: Rohan Perera (Coach), Sunil Herath (MIC).