Dharmaraja way ahead of Kingswood in Battle of Maroons'

By Upananda Jayasundera - Kandy Sports Special Corr.

The Battle of the Maroons, the 'Big Match' in Kandy between Dharmaraja College and Kingswood College for the 109th year will be on 20th & 21 March, 2015 at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium.

The T.B. Tennakoon Shield is presented by Janaka Bandara Tennakoon - former Rajans all-round sportsman who is the former Minister of Lands, now a member of Parliament. His father was the former Minister of Lands, now a member of Parliament.

His father was the former Minister of Social Services of the Sirimavo Bandaranayake Cabinet.

Of the 108 encounters played so far, Dharmaraja College has won 35 encounters while Kingswood has won 19 matches. 54 encounters have ended in draws. Last year, Dharmaraja won the match under Captaincy of Deneth Lanka.

In the long history of this much looked forward to cricket encounter, Senaka Dissanayake of Dharmaraja holds the record for the only double century scored with that knock of 200 runs in the 1983 match. He created another record to become the 1st batsman to score a double century at Asgiriya Grounds.

For Kingswood, the highest scorer has been by Clifford Ratnawibhushana who made 167 in 1959.

Speaking about this cricket encounter, there has been many veterans in the game who have figured in the 'Big Match' in past years with Centuries for Dharmaraja. There has been P.L. Arthur Alwis 121 in 1942. T.B. Talwatte 104 in 1942, A.L. De Alwis 109 not out in 1945, P.B. Munasinghe 108 in 1951, Chandra de Silva 158 in 1952, R.J.K. Gunasekera 105 in 1954, Siri Ranasinghe 112 in 1966, N. Yatigammana 112 not out in 1970, D. Vithanage 100 in 1970. Ajith Naranpanawa 127 & 120 in 1975 and 1976 respectively, Dananjaya Navaratne 109 in 1979, Senaka Dissanayake 200 in 1983, Prasanna Walalwala 103 not out in 1983, Prasanna Dissanayake 103 not out in 1985, Chanakya Kulatunge 112 in 1987, Rukshan Suriarachci 113 in 2006 and he became the centurian of the 100 encounter.

Hockey 'great' White first century for Kingswood

Kingswood had a 'great' in famous Freddie White of Hockey fame who played cricket in 1949 and scored the 1st century of Kingswood followed by Mahinda de Silva who made 132 in 1951, Asoka Perera made 148 in 1952, Maurice Fernando made 101 in 1957, Clifford Ratnavibhushana 167 in 1959, Tissa Jayatilleke 100 in 1966

Priyantha Wickremasuriya 127 & 116 in 1976 & 1977 respectively, B.H. Sherifdeen 100 in 1981, Mangala Dharmaprema 120 in 1984

In bowling for Kingswood, there was Senaka Abeygunaratne who had a match haul of 11 for 107 in 1966, getting 8 for 39 in the 1st innings and 3 for 68 in the 2nd innings.

For Dharmaraja there was Hemendra Keanayake who had a match bag of 12 for 66 in 1971, getting 5 for 10 in the 1st innings and 7 for 56 in 2nd innings.

This season, Dharmaraja has played 16 matches, winning outsight 4, first innings 9, losing first innings 1, and has no decisions in two.

On the other hand, Kingswood has played 16 matches, winning are out sight, winning on the first innings 6, drawing 5 and losing4.

Dharmaraja Cricket team 2015: Tharusha Weagoda (Captain), Kavinda Ratnayake (Vice Captain), Wenuka Galhitiyawa, Kavishka Dissanayake, Deshan Gunasinghe, Ruchira Pupulewatte, Gihan Seneviratne, Niwantha Herath, Nipuna Herath, Gihan Vitharana, Asmitha Rajapakshe, Upulitha Rajapakshe, Bawantha Udangamuwa, Lahiru Samarakoon, Danushka Bandara, Kavinda Thilakaratne, Chanuka Ranatunge.

Kingswood Cricket team 2015: Tharindu Liyanage (Captain) Meedum Weerasinghe (Vice Captain) Awishka Chandarsiri, Dilshan Walisundra , Shanuka Ratnayake, Ruwanthe Haturusinghe, Vimukthi Wijesiriwardena, Vishan Athauda, Salini Dharmasena, Upamal Heenkenda, Yasodh Kavinda, Ahamed Muwas, Janityh Tennakoon, Prasanna Senaratne, Isuru Ranasinghe, Hasitha Navaratne, Ganidu Kumburegama, Harinda Jayampath.

This season, the Rajan Skipper Tarusha Weragoda - a fourth year coloursman has scored over 350 runs, the vice - captain - another fourth year coloursman has scored 850 runs this season including 205 not out against St. Thomas' Matale and 157 against Revathe College, Balapitiya and in his wicket keeping has 45 victims.

There is also a allround cricketer in Wenuka Galahitiyawa and he has been a left hand champion bowler, taking 75 wickets and has has "Dagoba' hold winner. There is a also a left-hand opening batsman and right-arm-leg-skipper in Kawishka Dissanayake a forth year player who has scored 450 runs. Then there is a fine all-rounder in fourth year player Dehan Gunasingeh who has scored 650 runs.

Looking at Kingswood, team, the Captain Tharindu Liyanage a fourth year player has taken 30 wickets, the Vice Captain Meedum Weerasinghe - a second year players has been among the runs and also scored runs. His best batting has been 130 against Sri Sumangala, Panadura where was also among the wickets taking 7 for 90.