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55th 'Battle of Moratuwa'
Another no win situation
By S.M.D.Sirisena
The 55th encounter of the 'Battle of Moratuwa', between Prince of Wales and St. Sebastian's, will be played at Soysa Stadium on March 11 and 12. It will be difficult to predict the result of this match as both teams are evenly balanced. In the year's run of matches unbeaten Prince of Wales have won three matches while St. Sebastian's have also won three matches but lost to Isipatana and St. Joseph's.

St. Sebastian's is led by Dilan Cooray. Dilan comes from a cricketing family. His father late Marian Cooray led the Sebastian's in 1968 and his uncle is the present master-in-charge of the school Franklyn Cooray who led in 1965. Dilan scored over 500 runs including a century. Other centurions in the side are Gerald Benett and Sachintha Cooray. Sachintha passed 600 runs. Other batsmen in the side are Sanjeewa Ferando and Ayeshan Perera.

Jehan Fernando and Charith Fernando open the attack. First change is Tharanga de Silva. The spinners in the side are Randika Fernando, Dilhan Cooray and Sanjeewa Fernando.

Prince of Wales is led by fourth year player Nalin Praboda, a hard hitting bat who has scored over 600 runs. Other batsmen in the side are Rumesh Thirimanna who scored 99 runs against Royal.

The speed attack will be in the hands of Isuru Gunasekera (40 wickets) and Rumesh Thirimanna, off spinner Pishan Hewage who has captured 40 wickets and Dinesh Madusanka. Vice Captain Buddhika Hasaranga is the stumper of the side. A peep in to the records show that out of the 54 matches played so far Prince of Wales are ahead with six wins while St. Sebastian's have two wins. Prince of Wales won their matches in 1933, 34, 35, 55, 59 and 77 while St. Sebastian's won in 1952 and 1966.

Prince of Wales (from) Nalin Proboda (Capt), Buddhika Hasaranga (vice- capt.) Pishan Hewage, Isuru Gunasena, Dinesh Madushanka, Rumesh Trimanna, Shashen Silva, Sanka Pieries, Gayath Mendis, Rajitha Mendis, Marlon Fernando. (Wicket keeper) Chathura Fernando, Ashira Meegoda, Saminda Devan, Siwantha Kumara and Lahiru Sri Lakmal.

St. Sebastian's (from) Dilhan Cooray (Capt.) Jehan Fernando (Vice- Capt), Sanjeewa Fernando, Tony Rodrigo, Tharanga de Silva, Gerald Benett, Sachintha Cooray, Charih Fernando, Lakmal Fernando, Ayeshan Perera, Randika Fernando. Madusanka Fernando, Rajitha de Mendis, Janitha Jayawardane, Sangajaya Fernando, Mileshan Paul and Roshantha Fernando.

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