Dharmaraja fancied to beat Kingswood

By Upananda Jayasundera, Kandy Sports Special Corr

CRICKET - The oldest 'Big Match' in the hill capital - the 101st 'Battle of the Maroons' between Kingswood College and Dharmaraja College will be played at the Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy on March 30 and 31 for the "T.B. Tennakoon Challenge Shield."

In the 100 encounters that have been played so far, Dharmaraja College is in the lead with 31 wins to Kingswood's 19 with 50 encounters endings in draws.

The last victory in this encounter was in 1980 when Dharmaraja College under the captaincy of Janaka Mendis beat Kingswood while for Kingswood, the last victory in this encounter was way back in 1958 under the captaincy of C.M. Fernando. That year Kingswood beat Dharmaraja by 10 wickets. To cap it all, Kingswood skipper Maurice Fernando was picked as the "Daily News" Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year.

Both teams are unbeaten this year, with Kingswood getting one victory over St. Thomas', Matale, while their encounters against Dharmapala, Pannipitiya, Vidyartha, Kandy, D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo, Richmond College, Galle, Maris Stella, Negombo, Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, Trinity College, Kandy, St. Anthony's College, Katugastota, St. Sylvester's College, Kandy, Wesley College, Colombo were all drawn.

Dharmaraja College has three victories to their credit - they beat Dharmapals Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya, St. Anthony's College, Katugastota and Zahira College, Colombo. They drew with Trinity College, Kandy, Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, Royal College, S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, Ananda, Nalanda, Vidyartha, St. Sylvesters, Mahinda, Galle and Sri Sumangala, Panadura.

Rajans better record

On the performances of the two sides, Dharmaraja College has a better record and on the performances this season, they have a better equipped team.

A truly experienced player - Rukshan Suriarachchi, a fifth year coloursman, will captain Dharmaraja College. He has a century against Vidyartha and three fifties to his credit. He scored a century in last year's Centenary 'Big Match'. He has 534 runs to his credit and bowling his off-spinners, he has captured 40 wickets.

In batting, vice-captain B.M.B. Ekanayake, a third year coloursman, U.A. Wijesiri - last year's captain, playing in his fifth year, has a century against Royal to boost his batting. There is also R.M.J.C. Ratnayake, T.S.B. Ranatunge and R.C.K. Ambagaspitiya who have been among the runs.

In bowling, the Rajans attack will be opened by T.D. Balasuriya and R.M.J.C. Ratnayake with variety coming from skipper Suriarachchi who bowls off-spin, T.M. Perera (left-arm-spin) and right-arm leg-spinner S.T. Rajapakse.

A fine allrounder Asiri Amarasinghe, playing in his sixth year, leads Kingswood College. He has scored 601 runs including a century this season and he is a useful right-arm leg-spin bowler too. Anuradha Hettige - the vice-captain has recovered from injury and is down to play. He is a good allrounder - a right-hand batsman and a left-arm bowler.

Prasad Senaratne who made a century against Wesley and Krishan Silva are two other batsman who show a lot of promise.