Devans have an edge over Annites
The 36th ‘Battle of the Rocks’ Big Match between Maliyadeva College and St. Anne’s College, powered by Dialog, will be played on March 22 and 23, at the Welagedara Stadium. The match will commence at 10.00a.m. on both days. In addition, the 24th Limited Overs match between the two sides, sponsored by Damro, will be played on March 24 at the same venue.
St. Anne's College: Kavindu Ranasinghe, Lasith Warnakulasooriya, Rishitha Perera, Kavindu Ekanayaka, Muiz Rafeel, Pasindu Tennakoon, Mayaas Muzammil, Sulakshana Madusith, Hirusha de Silva, Ahmed Shafri, Pumudushan Sedara, Trimalsha Silva, Creshantha Piyathilaka, Pivithu Fernando
This year, the St. Anne’s team is led by 4th-year player Kavindu Ranasinghe with right-handed middle order batsman Lasith Warnakulasooriya as his deputy. Skipper Ranasinghe has scored 690 runs with 5 fifties, with 88 not out against St. Benedict’s College as his highest. Warnakulasooriya has scored 630 runs, also with 5 fifties, with 93 not out against Isipathana College as the highest scored by an Annite this season. Right-handed opener Rishitha Perera has scored 350 runs with 2 half-centuries and right hander Muiz Rafeel has scored over 300 runs.
The bowling department is spearheaded by left-arm orthodox spinner Pasindu Tennakoon, who has 57 wickets to his tally, with a best of 6/22 against Wesley College. He has 2 five-fers, and also claimed 2 hat-tricks against Ananda College and Thurstan College. Right-arm fast medium opening bowler Mayaas Muzammil has captured 25 wickets, with 7/59 against DS Senanayaka College as his best. Creshantha Piyatilaka is the wicket-keeper of the side and has taken 16 catches along with 2 stumpings. All-rounder Pivithu Fernando scored 125 runs and also captured 14 wickets as a fresher. After being promoted to Division ‘A’ this season, St. Anne’s played 15 matches, won against St. Anthony’s College Wattala and lost to Trinity College, Thurstan College and Wesley College, while the rest were draws. The team is coached by former Annite Chanaka Ediriweerage with Nihal C. Dissanayaka as the Master-in-Charge (MIC).
Maliyadeva is led by all-rounder Kaveen Bandara, and is a formidable side this season with a strong batting lineup. Opener Supun Sumanarathna is in fine touch with the bat, scoring over 1000 runs this season, with 175 against Isipathana College as his best, along with 7 fifties, for his tally of 1021 runs. Wicket-keeper batsman Muditha Premadasa, who has scored over 950 runs this season, with 2 centuries and 5 fifties, hopes to go past the magical 1000-run mark at the big match. His highest is 153 against Richmond College Galle. Maliyadeva posted totals of over 300 on 3 occasions this season, with 383 against Mahinda College Galle as their highest. Opener Chaluka Atapattu, 111 vs Mahinda College Galle, was the other centurion this season. Nisanjaya Hettiarachchi, Brian Karunanayaka and all-rounder Vidath Batepola will bolster the middle order with useful contributions.
Maliyadeva College: Kaveen Bandara, Muditha Premadasa, Supun Sumanaratha, Brian Karunanayaka, Maduranga Naveen, Gayantha Wickramarachchi, Nikila Dharmadasa, Nisanjaya Hettiarachchi, Vidath Batepola, Chaluka Atapattu, Nimesh Chaturanga, Pasindu Tennakoon, Oshada Jayawickrama, Diluka Navodya
The bowling department is headed by spinner Maduranga Naveen who has captured over 70 wickets. He will be assisted by skipper Bandara, Vidath Batepola, Pasindu Tennakoon and Nikila Dharmadasa.
Maliyadeva played 16 matches this season and with 1 outright win over Isipathana College and lost outright to DS Senanayaka College, Dharmasoka College and St. Benedict’s College, while the rest are draws.
Of the 35 matches played, Maliyadeva leads the series with 5 wins and have a slight edge over their opponents based on performances this season.