Sri Lanka Sports News | Sundayobserver.lk

CRICKET: The third annual ‘Battle of the Golds’ between D.S. Senanayake College and Mahanama College for the Golds Challenge Trophy will be played on March 26 and 27 at the SSC Grounds. The one-day match on Dec 29 Sunday also at the SSC grounds.

The ‘D.S.’ team will be clearly the odds-on favourites to win, going by their performances this season. Mahanama an up-and-coming team, are an enthusiastic team and by playing more and more matches they will improve.

Mahanama is led by fourth year coloursman Vinod Kaluarachchi and they have got seven outright wins against St. Mary’s College Kegalle, Zahira College Colombo, Sri Devananda Ambalangoda, Royal Panadura, Carey College, St. Anthony’s Wattala and St. John’s Nugegoda.

Skipper Kaluarachchi, who is a right-hander occupying the number five slot in the batting line-up, has emerged as the leading run-getter for his side this season with over 500 runs, and much will depend on him.

Besides the captain, among the others who have fared prominently in batting for Mahanama are: Maduka Dharmawardena (400 runs), fresher Hashan Perera (450 runs), fresher Randika Welikannage (350 runs) and another first-year player and left-handed number three batsman Duleeka Tissakuttige who also has scored close to 500 runs.

The trump card for Mahanama this season has been their third-year coloursman and left-arm orthodox spinner Buddhi Sarinda who has bagged a rich harvest of wickets (86).

Sarinda has almost single-handedly carried their bowling attack on his shoulders and the support rendered by all-rounder Maduka Dharmawardena who has claimed over 35 wickets, along with Randika Welikannage who has grabbed 40 wickets cannot be overlooked.

The wicketkeeper batsman fresher Lahiru Weeragala of Mahanama has also played his part in no small measure for the success of his team with over 55 victims behind the sticks.

Meanwhile their opponents D. S. Senanayake College, led by 4th year coloursman Naveen Kavikara have clinched three outright wins against Dharmaraja College, Kandy, St. Sylvester’s College Kandy and Isipathana M.V. and lost to the all-conquering Ananda side. ‘D.S.’ drew with Nalanda, S. Thomas’, St. Sebastian’s, St. Joseph’s, Thurstan, Prince of Wales, Trinity, Kingswood, St. Aloysius and President’s College.

Looking at the two teams it looks as if the ‘D.S.’ side is a better balanced side and should be able to dictate terms in this game.

Formidable with vice-captain and right-handed middle-order batsman Nadun Pathirana having been among the runs.

He has scored over 830 runs with a top-score of 122 against St. Sebastian’s Collge, Moratuwa.

Besides Pathirana, the others who have made an impact in the batting line-up are: opener and right-hander Harindra Udugamavithana (455), fresher and left-handed top-order batsman Thamara Kariyawasam (405) and bresher Charith Satharasinghe (375) runs.

For D. S. Senanayake, their captain Naveen Kavikara has turned out to be their most effective bowler capturing over 55 wickets and a lot will depend on him to contain the Mahanama batting. He bowls left-arm leg-spin.

Left-arm paceman Charitha Jayampathi who has captured over 35 wickets is also acapable bowler and much is expected from him too.

The limited-over game will be played on March 29 at the same venue. It will be played for the Aravinda de Silva Challenge Trophy.

Mahanama College (from): Vinod Kaluarachchi (Capt), Buddhi Sarinda (V.Capt), Lahiru Weeragala, Hashan Perera, Chamara Silva, Aravinda de Silva, Duleeka Tissakuttige, Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Sajith Nissanka, Sajith Ruberu, Maduka Dharmawardena, Tharindu Nipendra, Pasindu Madushan, Randhika Welikannage, Dilshan Rusiru, Tharaka Cooray, R. S. Michael.

D. S. Senanayake College (from): Naveen Kavikara (Capt), Nadun Pathirana (V. Capt), Charitha Jayampathi, Harindra Udugamavithana, Thiwanka Anuruddha, Nipuna Mudalige, Malshan Gunasinghe, Vasuki Wetakepotha, Malith Wickremasinghe, Thamara Kariyawasam, Didula Sanchintha, Ashan Jayamanne, Charith Satharasinghe, Mohammed Ijas, Shazan Passela, Thusith Udayanga Silva, Chamodh Wickremasinghe, Heshan Perera.

D. S. Senanayake College - Standing (from left): Heshan Perera, Shazan Passela, Chamod Wickramasinghe, Malshan Gunasinghe, Malith Wickramasinghe, Nipuna Mudalige, Didula Sachintha, Ashan Jayamanna, Vasukie Watakepotha, Thusith Silva, Charith Satharasinghe, Mohamed Ijaz, Thamara Kariyawasam.
Seated (from, left): Charith Jayampathi, Harindra Udugamavithana, Mr. Nihal Fernando (M.I.C.), Navin Kavikara (Capt.), Dr. Asoka Senani Hewage (Principal), Nadun Pathirana (V. Capt.), Mr. Mohandas Samarakkody (P.O.G.), Mr. Saman Hewawitharana (Coach), Thiwanka Anuruddha.

Mahanama College - Standing (from left): Lahiru Weeragala, Hashan Perera, Chamara Silva, Aravinda de Silva, Duleeka Tissakuttige, Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Sajith Nissanka, Sajith Ruberu, Maduka Dharmawardena, Tharindu Nipendra, Pasindu Madushan, Randika Welikannage, Dilshan Rasiru, Tharaka Cooray, R. S. Michael.
Seated (from left): Vinod Kaluarachchi (Capt.), Mr. Leslie Harischandra (M.I.C.), Mr. M. V. S. Gunathilaka (Vice-Principal - Sports), Mr. Premalal Kumarasiri (Principal), Mr. Cyril Silva (P.O.G.), Mr. Vipula Sittamige (Coach), Buddhi Sarinda (V. Capt.)

‘D.S.’ hold the aces against Mahanama