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Two unbeaten teams will clash in rock city
Maliyadeva vs St. Anne's - 26th encounter
By Vijitha Senaratne - Kurunegala Corr.
Maliyadeva College Kurunegala will take on St. Anne's College Kurunegala in their 26th "Battle of the Rocks" encounter on the 11th and 12th of this month at the Welagedera stadium Kurunegala, commencing at 10 a.m. on both days. The limited overs encounter between the two teams will be played on 13th Sunday at the same venue.

Both teams are unbeaten this season. Maliyadeva will be led by experienced middle order batsman Weranga Dissanayake with wicket keeper batsman Sameera de Soyza as his deputy.

De Soyza will open the innings with Rajitha Ratnayake and both of them have scored heavily this season. Junior national poolist Sameera de Soyza has scored over 400 runs this season. All rounder Rajitha Ratnayake is a very capable batsman. Third year player Hishan Gunawardena is another player to watch in this big encounter. He made his highest score of 70 against Kalutara Vidyalaya this season.

All rounder Shalika Karunanayake is the key player in the side this season. Already he has made over 650 runs with three centuries against Kalutara Vidyalaya (129) Thurstan College (131) and Dharmaraja College (165). He has represented Sri Lanka under 15 and 17 teams in the past and are currently in the under 19 pool.

Beside these players Dasun Madumal, Duminda Dissanayake and Perera will bolster the batting in the middle order. Their bowling will be spearheaded by medium pacers Shalika Karunanayake (35 wickets) and Rajitha Ratnayake (20 wickets) this season. Karunanayake captured 7 for 47 against Vidyartha College as his best. Left arm spinner Duminda Dassanayake is the key spinner of the side. Medium pacers Vimanya Perera and Pubudu Dharshana will support them as first change bowlers.

Maliyadeva played nine matches this season and all were drawn. They are coached by Thusitha Herath with Harris Bandara as the master-in-charge. St. Anne's College is led by all rounder Bathiya Ratnayake with another all rounder Derrick Martin as his deputy. Both of them are hard hitting batsman.

Top order batsman Wangeesa Malewana is a very good stroke maker. He made a fine 78 against Mahinda College this season. Left handed opening batsman Navin Kahapola and Yohan Kanumale will bolster the batting in the top order.

Left handed batsman Nuski Nazar is the key player this season. This consistant run scorer has scored four half centuries so far and topped the batting averages for his school.

Roshan Kaleel, all rounder Chaminda Pathirana and Amaranath Wanninayake also batted well during the ongoing season. Although they are having a strong batting line-up, they have not produced a centurion this season. They have a very strong bowling line up this season. Paceman Prabath Aravinda, Chaminda Pathirana, Shanaka Shaninda and Lahiru Lankeshwara will be spearheading the bowling attack. Left arm spinner Amaranath Wanninayake is the main spinner of the side.

Prabath Aravinda (a match bag of 14 for 22 vs St. Thomas College Matale) and Shanaka Shaninda (a match bag of 9 for 20 vs Mahinda College) were some of them to mention this season. Shaninda has also captured a hat trick against Mahinda College Galle.

St. Anne's played eleven matches this season and won three against St. Thomas College Matale. Holly Cross College Kalutara and St. Benedicts' College Kotahena, all by an innings margin. The rest of the matches were drawn.

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