Prince of Wales feels two scores too long a wait
Prince of Wales College
The much awaited Battle of the Gold’s big match of the two leading cricket playing schools Prince of Wales and St Sebastian’s in Moratuwa takes place March 9 and at De Zoysa Stadium in Moratuwa.
This is the 68th in the series of which the Cambrians are leading with six wins against three to the Sebs. This will be followed by the 33rd limited over match due to be played on March 10 at the same venue. In this version the Sebs are leading with 15 wins to the 13 by the Cambrians with two matches being abandoned due to rain and one ending in a tie.
The last win in the series was achieved by St. Sebastian’s in 2011 breaking a long standing hoodoo of either teams being unable to record a win for 33 years and also their first win which was achieved way back in 1966 which was after 44 years.
On the other hand the last win in the two day series achieved by the Cambrians was in 1977 when the side was led by Pemlal Fernando so they have a 40 year hoodoo haunting them.
Looking at the performances of the Sebs are unbeaten and have played 18 matches with three outright wins against St Peter’s, Bandaranayake MMV Gampaha and Dharmasoka MV Ambalangoda with the rest drawn.
Prince of Wales from the 16 matches that they have played has recorded seven outright wins losing two outright and the rest drawn.
The Sebs this year is led by allrounder Tharusha Fernando who has the honour of being the second schoolboy cricketer this season to achieve the 1000 runs milestone and he has been consistent with the bat and has led from the front. Tharusha has also been a successful bowler having taken over 35 wickets; so much will be expected from him.
The skipper has players whom he can depend to guide his side in the batting department in the likes of Nishith Abilash who has scored over 650 runs inclusive of a century, Shanel Fernando (575), Praveen Cooray, Janishka Perera and Sri Lanka youth player Nuwanidu Fernando who played only five matches due to national duties.
The Sebs bowling department will be spearheaded by left arm spinners Vinuja Ranasinghe and Praveen Jayawickrama another Sri Lanka youth player who too played only a few matches and the duo will be looking for support from skipper Tharusha and Nuwanindu and Tashik Perera to curtail the opponents.
St. Sebastian's College
The Cambrians too will be led by an allrounder Savindu Peiris who has been successful with the ball and he is just two away from reaching the 100 wickets milestone which he is should achieve in this encounter. His contribution is going to be crucial for the others following to gain the confidence.
Savindu has in his ranks an experience player in last year’s captain Vishwa Chathuranga who has scored over 850 runs inclusive of the tons and three half tons and no doubt he will be man for the Sebs to watch.
Then there is Savindu Fernando and Sandaru Fernando who both have scored over 600 the other two centurions of the side, Sanoj Dharshika who also has scored over 600 runs and Suwath Mendis (400) will be the backbone of the Cambrians batting.
The Cambrian bowling this season has been spearheaded by their right and left arm spin duo skipper Savindu and Kaumal Nanayakkara who in combine has taken 172 wickets between them and the pair could be a stumbling block for the Sebs batsmen and the right arm pacie opening pair Naduka Fernando and Avindu Fernando’s contribution is going to be vital for them to keep the opposition batting under control.