Sri Sumangala go out favourites
The 65th ‘Battle of the Golds’ Cricket encounter between Sri Sumangala College, Panadura, and Moratu Vidyalaya, will be played on March 17 and 18, at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa.
Sri Sumangala College leads the series with 8 wins to Moratu Vidyalaya’s 7.
Sri Sumangala with 6 outright wins and 2 1st-innings wins from 13 matches, have the edge over their rivals Moratu Vidyalaya who have only 2 1st-innings wins from 13 outings this season.
Led by Samith Dalpathadu, Sri Sumangala, with the services of 4 senior players, is an experienced side with a strong batting line-up headed by Pulitha Sarathchandra. Sarathchandra is in good touch with over 700 runs this season, including a century and 6 half-centuries to his credit. His highest being 170 not out against Taxila Vidyalaya, Horana. Deputy skipper Haritha Lakshan, a right-hand batsman with strokes all-round the wicket, has scored over 500 runs from 13 outings, with a highest score of 131 against Isipathana College.
Skipper Dalpadadu and Nipuna Deshan are the two leading all-rounders in the side. Dalpadadu playing in his 3rd year, has scored over 250 runs from 13 matches and accounted for 15 wickets. His best figures were against Isipathana College, with 8 wickets for 60 runs. Nipuna Deshan is another promising all-rounder. He is the leading run scorer with over 800 runs including a double century against Holy Cross College, Kalutara and 5 half-centuries. With the ball, Nipuna has passed the 50-wicket mark, and his best being a match bag of 14 wickets for 94 runs against Sri Jayawardenapura MV, Kotte.
Right-arm fast bowler Janidu Inuwara leads the pace attack, and is capable of making the early breakthrough. Janidu swings the ball both ways, keeping the frontline batsmen in two minds. His best is a match bag of 10 wickets for 84 runs against Sri Piyarathana Vidyalaya, Padukka, and has four 5-wicket hauls. Anuka Pradeepika Jayasinghe is a promising left-arm spinner. Jayasinghe has over 40 wickets in 6 matches, with his best being a match bag of 15 wickets for 68 runs against St. Mary’s College, Chilaw.
Moratu Vidyalaya led by Sineth Isuru didn’t enjoy a good season with 1 one win on 1st innings and 12 draws from 13 matches. With only 2 senior players in the side, the Moratuwa lads rely mostly on 4 players who make the biggest contributions with both bat and ball.
Deputy skipper Nishan Madusanka Fernando is the mainstay in their batting, having scored 869 runs with 2 tons and 2 fifties. His highest of 178 was against Zahira College, Colombo. The 2 leading all-rounders in the side are Shehan Jeevantha and Shehada Thivendra, who have been helpful to Madusanka Fernando in posting respectable totals. Jeevantha has scored 385 runs with 3 half-centuries, while Thevendra with 3 half-tons has scored 325 runs.
The bowling department is led by left-arm orthodox spinner Rashan Kavishka with a rich harvest of 36 wickets in 6 matches. A match bag of 11 wickets against Zahira College was his best this season and has captured 5 wickets on 3 occasions. Two right-arm off-spinners Shehan Jeevantha and Shehada Thivendra combine with left-arm spinner Kavishka to trouble most of the opposing batsmen. Jeevantha has 22 wickets and Thivendra has 28 wickets so far.
A host of promising freshers is a tower of strength to the Moratu Vidyalaya skipper as they have risen to the occasion with their timely contributions for the side, so that, the unexpected is a real possibility in this vital clash.
Moratu Vidyalaya from: Sineth Isuru (Capt.), Nishan Madusanka Fernando (V. Capt.), Shehan Jeevantha, Rashan Kavishka, Vinura Kaushalya, Madura Gimhana, Thiraj Kavishka, Janith Sewmin, Ashen Adithya, Shehada Thivendra, Chamindu Ravishan, Dilshan Dulakshka, Oshan Hasanka, Madushan Dilakshana, Nidith Mishendra, Lahiru Priyadharshana, Varuna Nimantha Master-in-Charge: Rasika Chaminda, Coach: Prasanna Dissanayake
Sri Sumangala from: Samith Dalpathadu (Capt.), Harith Lakshan (V. Capt.), Manisha Lokuhetti, Isuru Umayanga, Pulith Yasas, Nethmal, Shenal Sanjana, Anjana Maduwantha, Nadun Abishek, Nipuna Deshan, Shalana Ishara, Nadiru Rukshan, Janidu Induwara, Tharana Gandara, Stphen Souza, Gayaswara Weerasinghe, Anuka Jayasinghe Master-in-Charge: Sumith Chandrasiri, Head Coach: Thilak Fernando, Asst. Coach: Harsha