Big Match: Mahinda look to stall Richmond's dream run

Mahinda College will go all out to prevent the strong Richmond College team from winning the lover's quarrel three years in a row when they meet for the 111th time at the Galle International stadium on March 18 and 19. 

The toss and the weather are the major factors that will decide the outcome of the game.

After being deprived of a win for 44 years Richmond were awarded victory in 2014 when the Mahinda supporters invaded the field depriving their team from making an attempt to force a draw by permitting the last pair to bat out the last twelve overs of the game or score more than three runs to make Richmond to bat a second time. 

In 2015 Richmond thrashed Mahinda convincingly by an innings and 26 runs. 

"Richmond have won three games in a row twice before in 1905/1906/1907 and 1913/1914/1915 while Mahinda have a hat-trick of wins in 1918/1919/1920," revealed Richmond's cricket historian Rohitha Wickremasekera.

Mahindians P.H.K.H. Ranasinghe's score of 162 made in 1972 is the highest individual score in the series while Somasiri Ambawatta's 10/44 in 1953 is the best individual bowling performance in an innings. 

In the same game Somasiri scored an unbeaten 103 and ended up with a match bag of fifteen wickets (10/44 and 5/61) to hold the best all round performance as well.

Richmond College playing in Group A of the schools tournament won outright against Dharmasoka, Holy Cross, Moratu Vidyalaya and Anuradhapura Central and won first innings against Gurukula and St Servatius while losing in the first inning to Lumbini College and group leaders Isipathana.

Richmond College have an edge in the 111th encounter with the psychological advantage of having three Sri Lanka Under-19 caps namely skipper Charith Asalanka, Wanidu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis in their side. 

The playing eleven will be selected from Pasindu Bimsara, Chamikara Hewage, Avindu Theekshana, Dhananjaya Lakshan, K.K. Kevin, Heshan Umesh, Kavindu Ediriweera, Thisara Dhivan, Tilanga Udeshana, Duvin Kalansuriya, Thaveesha Abhishek, Ravishka Wijesiri and Adithya Siriwardena. 

Coach Dhammika Sudarshana and master-in-charge Damith Prasanna are confident that Richmond will be the victors of the 111th Lover’s Quarrel to make it three wins in a row.

Mahinda led by Pasindu Dilshan have fared well playing in Group ‘B’ of the Schools League Tournament this season with five first innings wins against Royal Colombo, Royal Panadura, Mahanama, Thurstan and Zahira and lost outright to St. Joseph’s College. 

The games against Maris Stella and Prince of Wales ended as no decisions. 

The Mahinda team comprises of Pasindu Dilshan (Captain), Gihan Dhanushka (Vice Captain), Rishan Ranganath, Hansitha Welihinda, Ravindu Menaka, Visitha Sammana, Ashen Kandamby, Pethangoda, Hirusha Munasinghe, Navod Paranavithana, Binura Dulsara, Pramitha Hansika, Roshan Kavinda, Niahitha Malaka, Kavindu Maheesha, Methisha Ekanayaka, Lakshan Asanka, Amal Liyanage, Shehan Dilruk and Suresh Kumara.

Head Coach Dhanushka Denagama who took on the responsibility of the Mahinda first XI just a month ago said that his team could stall the strong Richmondites if they get their act together at the Galle Stadium. D.W.K. Hettiarachchi is the master-in-charge of the Mahinda first XI team.

Who leads the series is a quarrel between the old boys of the two schools which has not been settled as yet with Richmond claiming to lead the series 24 wins to 20 while Mahinda claim that the series is square with 23 wins each, but does it really matter as long as the series continues in the true spirit of the game? 

Richmond College: Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pasindu Bimsara, Kamindu Mendis, K.K. Kevin, Heshan Umendra, Kavindu Ediriweera, Chamikara Hewage, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Tilanga Udeshana, Avindu Theekshana, Adithya Siriwardena, Thisara Dhivan, Ravishka Wijesiri, Thaveesha Abhishek, Duvin Kalansuriya. 

Mahinda College: Pasindu Dilshan (Captain), Rishan Rangajith, Gihan Dhanuahka, Hansitha Welihinda, Ravindu Menaka, Visitha Sammana, Ashen Kandamby, Pethangoda, Hirusha Munasinghe, Navod Paranavithana, Binura Dulsara, Pramitha Hansika, Roshan Kavinda, Niahitha Malaka, Kavindu Maheesha, Methisha Ekanayaka, Lakshan Asanka, Amal Liyanage, Shehan Dilruk, Suresh Kumara.