Vijitha Central has edge over Rajapaksa National School

by Priyan DE SILVA - Matara Sports Corr.

CRICKET GOLDEN BATTLE: The third in the series known as the golden Battle of Ruhuna between Vijitha Central College, Dickwella and Rajapaksa National School, Weeraketiya will be played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa on the 23rd and 24th of March. The first two encounters in the series ended in no decisions. This year Vijitha has the edge in this encounter. Although both schools field teams for the under-13, 15 and 17 division tournaments conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association, neither school plays in the under-19 tournament even though they have all the required facilities. Both Vijitha Central and Rajapaksa NS are the sports schools in the Matara and Hambanthota districts.

Second-year coloursman W.A. Subash Prasanga leads the Vijitha team this year. He is a left-hand batsman and was named the best batsman in the inaugural encounter for his score of 95. He keeps wickets too. All-round player Harsha Ramesh Lakmal is Vice-Captain. He is a right-hand bat and bowls right-arm leg-spin and is a second-year coloursman. W.G. Amith Udayanga who led the Vijitha team for the inaugural encounter, Chalanaka Weerasingha, Ashan Nigamuni, Tharindu Yasarathna, Sajitha Priyaranga, Lakshan Ruwan Kumara and Mahela Nambuhewa are second-year coloursman in the Vijitha team. Gayan Nigamuni, Lahiru Sandaruwan, Shashik Pavin Eshan, Rajitha Lakmal Amal Udayanga, Pravin Thulanjana and Sujitha Dissanayaka are freshers in the Vijitha squad. Jagath Nanda Kumara has been coaching Vijitha Central for the past three-years and Buddhapriya Wickremerathna has been master-in-charge of cricket for the same period.

All rounder W. Manura Bhanuka, a second-year coloursman, leads the Rajapaksa National School team for this years big match. He is a right-hand batsman and bowls right-arm leg-spin. He is assisted by Rajinda Danesh as Vice-Captain. Rajinda is a right-hand batsman and bowls right-arm fast. He is a safe fielder in any position.

It should be mentioned that all the players in the Rajapaksa NS team are right-hand batsmen and right-arm bowlers.

Wicket-Keeper Ishan Madusanka, Ayesh Maduwantha, Charith Samanthra and Niranja Madhumadawa are second year coloursman in the squad. T.G. Dilan Hasaranga is a first year coloursman. Then Uditha Prabod, Rumesh Dilshan, Jagath Asintha, Yasanka Madusara, Sandeepa Akalanka, Manthinda Dissanayaka, Namal Hemantha and Dilan Hasaranga are freshers who will strengthen the team.

It is Asela Sampath's first season as coach of the Rajapaksa NS team, Priyantha Pushpakumara is Master-in-Charge of Cricket, former Coach and MIC Linton Wickremasuriya who was instrumental in starting this series is the Prefect-of-Games.

Vijitha Central (from): Subash Prasanga (Captain), Jagath Nanda Kumara (Coach), Dhanushka Jayadeva (Principal), A.G. Hewage (Vice Principal and prefect of Games), Buddhapriya Wickremerathna (Master-in-Charge of Cricket), Harsha Ramesh Lakmal (Vice Captain), Lakshan Ruwan Kumara, Rajitha Lakmal, Chalanak Weerasingha, Pravin Eshan, Amal Udayanga, Amith Udayanga, Sajitha Priyaranga, Ashan Nigamuni, Sujitha Dissanayaka, Pravin Abeysingha, Mahela Nambuhewa, Lahiru Sandaruwan, Tharindu Yasarathna, Gayan Nigamuni.

Rajapaksa National School Team (from): W. Manura Bhanuka (Captain), H.G. Asela Sampath (Coach), B. I. Priyantha Pushpakumara (Master-in-Charge of Cricket), Athula Nanayakkara (Principal) Linton Wickremasuriya (Prefect of Games), Rajinda Danesh (Vice Captain), Shiran Kumara Udayanga, Ishan Madusanka, Uditha Prabodh, Rumesh Dilshan, Ayesh Maduwantha, Dilan Madusanka, Charith Samanthra, Jagath Asintha, Yasanka Madusara, Sandeepa Akalanka, Niranja Madumadawa, Manthinda Dissanayaka, Hemantha Hasheka, Dilan Hasaranga.