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by Diliwin Mendis Moratuwa Sports Corr.

The 56th encounter between the two leading schools of Moratuwa - Prince of Wales College and St. Sebastian's will be played on 10th and 11th March, 2006 and the 21st Limited overs Match on 12th March at the De Soysa Stadium, Maratuwa.

This 'Big Match' series commenced in 1933 and so far, 55 matches have been played. Cambrians have won six and Sebs two. Sebs are leading with eleven wins and Cambrians eight wins with one no decision in the one-dayers. The Cambrians last win was in 1977 on their grounds under Pemlal Fernando while the Sebastianites rewarded their last victory in 1966 under Sarath Perera on their grounds.

This year, the Cambrians will be led by fourth-year Coloursman Isuru Gunasena while Sebs skipper will be Jehan Fernando a fourth year coloursmen Both of them will open the attack for their respective schools. Rumesh Thirimanne and Charith Fernando will share the new ball with their captains at the other end.

The Cambrian batting will be opened by Chamesh Fernando and Marlon Fernando who is also the 'stumper' of the side. The Cambrians will bank on Rumesh Thirimanne who is the only centurion of the side and his deputy Pishan Hewage and second year Colourman Shashan Silva, Gayath Mendis and Sanka Peiris.

The Cambrian attack has variety and Lahiru Sri Lakmal coming in first change with his left-arm seamers and all-rounders Pishan Hewage, Chamesh Saraka and Gayath Mendis Off-spin while Sanaka Peiris left-arm leg-spin and Yohan Silva right-arm leg-spin. The Sebestiantes batting will be opened by vice captain Sachintha Cooray and Trevin Fernando, Who scored an unbeaten century against Isipathana. They also have a formidable batting line-up with last year's skipper and Sri Lanka schools cricketer Dilhan Cooray who scored a century against Royal. Ayshan Fernando, Rajitha Mendis, Gerald Bennet, Janitha Jayawardene and skipper Jehan Fernando himself are capable of making big scores.

Ayshan Fernando will be the other medium paceman while Sanjeewa Fernando and Madushanka Fernando are the off-spinners and Janika Jayawardene leg-spin, Vice Captain Sachinta Cooray and Randika Fernando was also among the wickets this season. There are two specialised wicket-keepers in Ranuth Dilhara and Lakmal Fernando.

The Cambrians have played ten matches so far and won against Dharmasoka and the rest were drown. Sebs had 16 outings and won five and lost to St. Sylvester's and the other games ended with no decisions. Prince of Wales were deprived of playing their matches on their home ground due to the renovative work carried out by the Old Boys Association. Cambrians are grateful to Jayalath Aponso, curator of the De Soysa Stadium for providing the grounds for home matches and for practice purposes too.

On paper, the Sebastiantes have a better chance of breaking the hoodoo but no one can predict the outcome of a game of cricket with glorious uncertainties involved.

Cambrians and Sebastians are coached by two of their past cricketers Messers Jayantha Perera (Prince of Wales) and Heshan de Mel (St. Sebastians) respectively.

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