Dharmaraja get 'Big Match Double'

by S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN Kandy Sports Corr.

CRICKET: Dharmaraja College led by second year player Viraj Karaputugala became the first side in the 'Battle of the Maroons' against Kingswood College to achieve the double of winning both the big match and the limited-over clash for the Winston Hoole Trophy this year at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

The big match between these two schools dates back to 1895 when it was played at the Bogambara grounds, which was later to become stadium and cricket is no longer played there. A total of 106 matches had been played between these two schools with the Rajans in the lead.

The limited-over clash for the Winston Hoole Memorial Trophy was introduced 24 years ago. Though the rules of the shorter version of the game permitted a decision even if the full quota of overs is not bowled, but the big match had a stalemate of 30 successive draws, till this was broken last year when the Rajans won under Hemal Munaweera. But the Kingswoodians took sweet revenge by winning the limited-over clash last year.

This year, the Rajans won the big match and followed up by winning the limited-over clash too, thus becoming the first team to complete the double.

In achieving this double, the Rajans had some high performers in skipper Viraj Karaputagala, Nuwan Karunaratne, Deneth Lanka, Chandimal de Silva, Arvinda Withanarachchi, Lakshan de Silva, Rameesh Ranasinghe.

Left arm spinner Arvinda Withanarachchi crowned himself with glory by becoming the first Rajan to capture 100 wickets in a season.

Viraj Karapatugala is indeed a very lucky captain. Thrust into the captains of captaincy mid way during the season as the skipper elect Nuwan Karunaratne was unavailable, he led the side admirably.

Lastly, the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is a lucky venue for the Rajans as they have a 100 per cent winning record here, having won both big matches played here.