|
103rd
‘Battle of the Maroons’ at Asgiriya
Decision
unlikely on season’s performance
By
Hafiz Marikar
In the oldest ‘Big Match’ of the
Hill capital Kingswood College will meet Dharmaraja
College in the 103rd encounter at the Asgiriya International
Stadium on Friday and Saturday (March 13 and 14).
Traditionally, the Kingswood-Dharmaraja cricket encounter
has a glamour title - the ‘Big ’un’ -
and is hailed as the main cricketing event of the two
state-run schools. They have cherished the annual match
as a fitting climax to the season.
Out of the 102 games played so far Dharmaraja has won
on 31 occasions, Kingswood are on 19 and the rest have
ended in draws. Kingswood’s last win was in 1958
under the leadership of Maurice Fernando and the Rajans
last won in 1980 under Janaka Mendis.
Coming to the present year, both sides are equally good
and a good game of cricket is on the cards if the weather
gods permit. This encounter is played for the TB Tennakoon
trophy. The Asgiriya Stadium freshened by recent rains
should favour both teams. Predictions are usually uncertain
but looking at the performances of both teams this season,
a winning decision seems unlikely.
This season the Rajans played 18 games, won six, lost
five and drew the rest. The Kingswoodians on the other
hand have yet to record a win in 15 games for the season.
They have lost three and drawn the rest.
In Kingswood’s line-up is their skipper Chalith
Dharmaprema, a fifth year player who has enjoyed a tremendous
season with the bat and should lead the side well in
this game, though they have not won a single game this
season. His father Mangala Dharmaprema did well as captain
of Kingswood when he led them in 1986, and the son is
expected to emulate him. The Kingswoodians will be expecting
a lot from their star bat Madhawa Maduranga who has
scored over 850 runs. Udaya Hettige has also passed
the 500-run mark and Dharmaprema has taken over 75 wickets
this season and scored 350 runs. The rest who should
do well are vice captain Ashan Seneviratne, Chathura
Kumarasiri, Lahiru Gannoruwa and Yasin Athukorale.
Dharmaraja is led by Prabath Silva, who is a hard hitting
bat and should do well for his team. Buwaneka Ekanayake
who has scored over 1000 runs with two hundreds, Sandun
Weerakkody with over 600 runs, Theeskshana Wedagedera,
Rahula Ekanayake, Ramesh Yapa Bandara are the stroke
makers in the side who should score heavily.
Rahula Ekanayake who has over 60 wickets along with
Yapa Bandara and Prabath Silva are the main bowlers
in the team.
Coaches Maj. Priyantha Wickremasuriya of Kingswood and
Senaka Dissanayake of Dharmaraja have played cricket
for their respective schools and given their best for
the players to do well. Now it is up to the players
to perform.
The Teams
Kingswood College (from): Chalith Dharmaprema (captain),
Ashan Seneviratne (vice captain), Chathura Kumarasiri,
Madawa Madhuranga, Udara Hettige, Lahiru Gannoruwa,
Hasitha Dharmaprema, Thilina Karunaratne, Yasindu Athukorale,
U Rabel, Chameera Weeraratne, Rashimindu Sandaruwan,
Tilina Dolawatte, Dashmitha Kahandanarachchi, Subodha
Premaratne. Coach - Major Priyantha Wickramasuriya.
Dharmaraja College (from): Prahab Silva (captain), Ramesh
Yapa Bandara (vice captain), Bhuwaneka Ekanayake, Tharaka
Silva, Rahula Ekanayake, Theekshana Wedagedera, Tharindu
Dandeniya, Hemal Munaweera, Sandum Weerakkody, Sanjay
Kalubowila, Nuwan Karunaratne, Mayura Ratnayake, Abeyaratne
Bandara, Kavinda Wjekoon, Ruchira Rupasinghe. Coach
- Senaka Dissanayake.
|
