‘Battle of the Gold Uva’ cricket encounter on March 18 and 19
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St'Joseph's College
St. Joseph’s College, under the leadership of R. M. Chanadana Ruwan, a right hand all-rounder and a fourth year player will be looking to retain their prestige against Bandarawela Central College cricketers led by Demintha Prabhath Jayaweera, a dashing left hand batsman and a seasoned fifth year player when the two teams meet in their 14th Annual Battle of the Gold Uva cricket encounter on March 18 and 19 at the Bandarawela Municipal ground.
The Josephian skipper will be looking to face the Central College attack with the help of their strong batting line-up which will be strengthened by his experienced fourth year team-mates Jayaranga Ramanayake, Kavinda Soyza and his deputy, a third year player Ayesh Lahiru Dilshan. The team has also got several all-rounders, who are capable of batting well. They are Dumindu Damishka, Kushan Gasitha, Pasan Hirudika and Kosindu Navodya.
Freshers Leshan Diluksha and Ahdil Irfan too can perform well with the bat. The bowling department will be spearheaded by pacemen, Ayesha Lakmal, Malitha Madeewa, Kavindu Janith, Sithara Rangajeewa Marasinghe and Ashen Dilranga.
Under Ruwan’s captaincy, St. Joseph’s will field a formidable side inclusive of vice captain Ayesh Lahiru Dilshan, Kavinda Zoyza, Jayaranga Ramanayake, Pasan Hirudika, Duminda Damishka, Malitha Madheewa, Kavinda Janith, Ashen Diilranga, Kushan Gasitha, Leshan Dilruksha, Sithara Ranjeewa Marasinghe, Kosindu Navodya, Ayesha Lakmal and Ahdil Irfan. G. Nalanda is the coach of the team while Dulshanth Manawadu looks after the side as the master-in-charge and A.M. Ariyaratne as the prefect of games.
On the other hand, the Bandarawela Central skipper will have Gihan Ratnayake, a third year player and a medium paceman, as his deputy while their batting line up will include Mahel Sarathchandra, Niranjaya Dulmina Attanayake, Gihan Malinda and Chathura Dilshan Basnayake and all of them are doing well with the ball too. Sixth year leg spinner Themiya Bhanurashmi Patabendi is the most senior player of the team while leg spinner Hasarel Nayanajith and left arm off spinner Vimukthi Yasashree Hewage will add more strength to the team. Pacemen Heshan Kalpa Gihan will handle the new ball with vice captain Ratnayake while freshman Anjula Shamalka will be behind the wicket.
Central College
Central College, led by Prabath, will include vice captain Gihan Ratnayake, Lakshan Chalinda, Jasaral Nayanajith, Themiya Patabandi, Dulmina Attanayake, Anjula Shamalka, Charithra Basnayake, Chathura Mahel Sarathchandra, Gihan Malinda, Tharindu Pramuditha, Heshan Kalpa, Vimukthi Yasasri Hewage, Uditha Bandara and Ruchira Ayodya Wijesundara. The side is coached by Ananda Wijenayake with Amith Chathuranga as master-in-charge and M.T.D. Manatunga as prefect of games.
The first installation of this Big Match encounter was played in 1967 and so far 13 matches have been played with the Josephians winning it thrice and Central College winning on two occasions. This year Singer Sri Lanka comes forward as the main sponsors while Cargills, Mobitel, Seylan Bank, Unilevers, Manathunga Rentals and CBL join in as co-sponsors for the most anticipated Big Match of the Uva Province. - SM