Rajapaksa Central and Vijitha Central are evenly matched
VIJITHA CENTRAL COLLEGE TEAM Front Row L-R: Sumudu Prabath (VCapt), K.G. Navod Dilan (Coach), L.G. Sujith (Prefect of Games), Ramya Liyanarachchi (Deputy Principal), V.D.A.A. Premakumara (Deputy Principal), G.U.S.L.K. Rajasinghe (Principal), Sunny G. Punchihewa (Deputy Principal), W.A. Lalith Sisira Kumara (Deputy Principal), Buddapriya Wickremarathne, S. Yohan Tharindu (MIC) Back Row L-R: N.T. Sachindu Dewshan, S.H. Sachin Chanuka, H.J.K. Thushan Malinda, M. Hasindu Sri Nirmana, K.H. Menusha Dinu Sachintha, R.P. Kavindu Theekshana, G.G. Lahiru Kosala, K.K. Sakith Chamika, A.W.U. Pathum Sampath, A.G.K. Saroj Ransara, P.A. Vihanga Keshara, J.B. Sandeep Chamod
Rajapaksa Central College Weeraketiya will host Vijith Central College Dikwella to the 9th Golden Battle of Ruhuna ‘Big Match’ at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium (MRICS) in Sooriyawewa on April 4 and 5.
This ‘Big Match’ between the two schools in the Matara and Hambantota districts, was first played in 2010 and was hosted by Rajapaksa Central at their school ground in Weeraketiya. Vijitha Central lead the series 1-0.
The highest individual score in the series is the unbeaten 103 by Mahela Nambuhewa in 2013 while the 7-wicket haul which included a hat-trick by Daham Venusara last year (2017) is the best bowling performance in an innings and his match bag of 11 for 63 is also a record in the series. Since of late the match has been played on turf with Rajapaksa Central hosting the game at MRICS and Vijitha Central hosting it at Uyanwatta Stadium in Matara.
The Vijitha Central team is led by Ramesh Madushan Weligamage with Sumudu Prabath Siriwardena as his deputy of the strong Vijitha outfit which will be selected from N.T. Sachinda Dewshan, S.H. Sachin Chanuka, H.J.K. Thushan Malinda, M. Hasindu Sri Nirmana, K.H. Menusha Dinu Sachintha, R.P. Kavindu Theekshana, G.G. Lahiru Kosala, K.K. Sakith Chamika, A.W.U. Pathum Sampath, A.G.K. Saroj Ransara, P.A. Vihanga Keshara and J.B. Sadeepa Chamod.
Coach: K. Navod Dilan – Master-in-Charge: S. Yohan Tharindu
M.M. Dilisha Shehan leads Rajapaksa Central College with H.W. Pasan Sathsara as his deputy. The final XI will be selected from P.A. Pathum Divanjana, K.G. Ashan Ravindu, W.A.N. Dasunpriya, Sineth Saranga, G.M. Suraj Dilankara, M.M.N. Mendis, W.G. Tharindu Ushan, W.H. Pivithuru Priyadasun, R.M. Charith Ishara, M.Y. Nadun Kaushalya, I.A. Lakvindu Sampath, J.M. Vidura Subashana, W.A. Dulaj Samuditha, S. Yugasara Waduge, H.K. Nirmana Nayanajith, W.C. K. Bandaranayake and M.P. Janitha Malith.
Coach: P.A. Hashan Tharinda – Master-in-Charge: Jayantha Punchihewa
RAJAPAKSA CENTRAL COLLEGE TEAM Front Row L-R: H.W. Pasan Sathsara (VCapt), G.K.S.D. Jayarathne (MIC), R.P. Anton de Silva (Deputy Principal), Pushpa Weerawardena (Principal), Jayantha Punchihewa (MIC), N.P.K. Wickremarachchi (MIC), P.R.A. Hashan Tharinda (Coach), M.M. Dilisha Shehan (Captain) Back Row L-R: P.A. Pathum Divanjana, K.G. Ashan Ravindu, W.A.N. Dasunpriya, Sineth Saranga, G.M. Suraj Dilankara, M.M.N. Mendis, W.G. Tharindu Ushan, W.H. Pivithuru Priyadasun, R.M. Charith Ishara, M.Y. Nadun Kaushalya, I.A. Lakvindu Sampath, J.M. Vidura Subashana, W.A. Dulaj Samuditha, S. Yugasara Waduge, H.K. Nirmana Nayanajith, W.C.K. Bandaranayake, M.P. Janitha Malith