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| Sunday, 02 March 2003 |
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Evenly balanced Kingswood and Dharmaraja battle in 97th encounter by S.M. JIFFREY ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Correspondent Dharmaraja College will take on Kingswood College in their 97 Hill Capital's 'Battle of the Maroons' which will be played at the Asgiriya Stadium next Friday and Saturday (March 7 and 8) with play commencing at 9.45 am on both days. This is the oldest big match in Kandy and is just three short of a century with a big centenary bash being organised in the year 2006. This year's battle appears to be evenly balanced and a draw is a likely result. The last time a decision was reached in this battle was in 1980 when the Rajans, led by Janaka mendis outwitted the Kingswoodians and since then there has been a spate of drawn matches - 22 consecutive battles to be precise. But the Kingswoodians last win came in 1958 under former 'Daily News' Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year C. Maurice Fernando, thus they have a 45 year-old jinx to break. A peep into the past indicates that of the 96 battles which had been fought from venues such as Randles Hill, Lake View, Bogambara grounds, Police grounds and the Asgiriya Stadium, the Rajans lead the series with 31 wins against 19 by Kingswood and the balance 46 battles have ended in draws with the last 22 encounters not producing a result. In the year 1918 Kingswood College scored 125 runs but still won the match by an innings and 56 runs as the Rajans were dismissed for 09 runs in the first which is still the lowest score in an innings in a match in the hill capital. U. Banda scored six of those runs while seven batsmen failed to score and probably first duck farm was opened in this big match. Rajans fared a little better to score 60 runs in the second innings. Senaka Dissanayake who scored 200 not out in 1982 holds the record for the highest individual score in the series and the next best is from Clifford Ratnavibhushana who made 157 in 1957. The Rajans will be led by Muditha Wijekoon have played 14 matches, winning against Maliyadeva College outright and lost to Royal outright. They have also won six matches on the first innings and lost on first innings five matches. Muditha Wijekoon is a brilliant opening bat having amassed 750 runs and has captained the Central Province under 19 teams. Deputy skipper Kelum Ariyadasa is the 'stumper' of the side and has scored 332 runs and also has 25 victims todate. Others who could swell the total are Mahesh Weerasuriya, Jayapathi Chandratillake (450 runs), Chamara Kapugedera (450 runs), Upesh Wijesiri, Gayan Wijetillake, Gayan Nadunge. Chamara Kapugedera will open the attack with Eranda Abeysinghe (24 wkts), Upul Karunaratne, Gayan Wijetillake, could provide the additional pace. Left arm spinner Amal Ekanayake who missed some of the earlier matches is in good form and has captured 30 wickets including 10 wickets against Maliyadeva. Other spinners are Mahes Weerasuriya (off spin), Madhuka Rajapakse (off spin) and Asanka Samarakoon (off spin). Kingswoodians will be led by fifth year Coloursman Milinda Wattagedera who has been performing consistently with the bat scoring over 800 runs including a century against St. Anthony's College and has also captured over 50 wickets with his left arm spinners. Rachitha Liyanage is the vice captain of the side, a top all-rounder capturing 50 wickets and he has also scored 500 runs. There is plenty of depth in Kingswood's batting with Rajith Ariyadasa (550 runs), Waruna Dharmaratne, Iruka Weeraratne (400 runs), Samudu Wijesinghe, Indika Senaratne (500 runs) and Gehan Ekanayake capable of getting the runs. Gehan Ekanayake (35 wickets) and Rachith Liyanage (50 wkts) have turned out to be deadly with the new ball and for extra pace there is Rajith Ariyadasa, Iruka Weeraratne (25 wkts), Hemal Kumarage and Hirantha Pallegedera. Left arm spinner Nireshan Perera has been their key spinner who has captured over 50 wickets and with a match bag of 10 for 49 bowled his side to victory over D.S. Senanayake College. He will have the assistance of Milinda Wattegedra (left arm spin), Waruna Dharmaratne (off spin), Asiri Amerasinghe (leg spin), Samudu Wijesinghe (off spin) and Indika Senaratne off spin. Minimuthu Dissanayake will keep wickets. Kingswoodians have played 14 matches, won outright against D.S. Senanayake College, won on first innings 6 and lost on first 2 and the rest ended in 'No decisions.' Dharmaraja College (from) Muditha Wijekoon (Capt.), Kelum Ariyadasa (Vie captain), Mahesh Weerasuriya, Jayampathi Chandratillake, Amal Ekanayake, Chamara Kapugedera, Maduka Rajapakse, Eranda Abeysinghe, A. Samrakoon, Upul Karunaratne, Upeksh Wijesiri, Gayan Wijetillake, Gayan Nadunge, Channa Nadunge, Rukshan Sooriyarachchi, Dhanushka Marapana, Anusha Ranaraja, Indika Samaratunga, D.P. Nitipolarachchi, G.S. Monarawila, (Coach Ananda Wijesekera, MIC Major Bhuwanika Kohanna). Kingswood College: Milinda Wattegedera (Capt.) Rachitha Liyanage (Vice Captain), Rajith Ariyadasa, Waruna Dharmaratne, Iruka Weeraratne, Hemal Kumarage, Asiri Amarasinghe, Samudu Wijesinghe, Hirantha Pallegedera, Niroshan Perera, Indika Senaratne, Gihan Ekanayake, Minimuthu Dissanayake, Deminda Dahanayake, Chathuranga Samarakoon, Malinda Ratnayake, Sapumal Marasinghe, Kasun Amerasinghe, Harshana Rajakaruna, Mahesh Dhammika, (Coach H.W. Thirana Gamage, MIC N. Pathmasiri). |
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