Mahanama College and D.S.Senanayake College will meet each other at the Battle of the Golds which will be held for the seventh consecutive year on March 21 and 22, 2012 at P.Sara Oval Grounds.
Commencing in 2007, both sides have come along way in their cricket and their experiences in the previous battles and it is expected to dish-out quality cricket this time around as well
All previous encounters have been drawn. However, the ODIs Mahanama won thrice in 2008 and 2010, 2012 while D.S. won thrice in 2007, 2009 and 2011. Therefore this year’s battle is thrown wide open with much anticipation for both sides
The sixth Battle of the ‘Golds’ ended in a draw with D.S. Senanayake taking major honours. In reply to DSS’s first Innings score of 276 for 8 declared, Mahanama was bowled out for 171 with Harith Maduwantha taking 5 for 58. Pavan Devinda (38), Duleeka Tissakuttige (39) and Chatura Jayasinghe were the main scorers for Mahanama. Following on with a deficit of 105 runs Mahanama was in trouble when they were 92 for 4 at one stage, but a fifth wicket stand of 95 between Janaka Dayananda (55) and Pavan Devinda (41) steadied the innings to 187 for 5 but ended 228 for 8 and a lead of 123 runs with 2 wickets in hand. The match was called off after eight mandatory overs by mutual consent between the two captains.
This year Mahanama side will be playing in the battle of the Golds under the captaincy of Pawan Devinda, a key batsman for the Mahanamians playing his fifth year in the Under 19 pool. He has scored more than 1100 runs for the season and is the highest run scorer of the schools this season. In his 1100 runs is included a brilliant double ton against Dharmapala Vidyalaya,Pannipitiya. The left arm batsman Naveen Silva will be the Vice captain. He has scored 240 runs so far. His best score was 52 not out against Sri Sumangala – Panadura. Last year he cracked 300 runs in the season.
Fresher Dulanjana Seneviratne has also made his presence felt in the team with the ball while claiming 42 wickets with his off-spinners including a six wicket haul (6 for 54) against Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya Kelaniya. C. Dinuka Karunannda also got the 31 wickets in this season. The new ball will be shared between Nayana Prabath, Subuddhi Kaushalya either Chamara Silva or Umesh Wijesinghe. The spin attack will comprise of some promising bowlers including Kalana Ashan, Dulanjana Seneviratne, Gihan Sanjeewa and Naveen Silva.
Shiraz Samsudeen will be the head coach of the Mahanama 1st XI cricket team this season. His prior experience as a cricketer will be a great advantage for the Mahanama. Being a product of Isipathana College, he played club cricket for 10 years on the Malay Sports Club.
D.S.Senanayake also possesses some talented players such as Duleeka Brahmanage (Captain), Uvin Bandara, Supun Madusanka and Kanishka Prashan and they are expected to put up good performances for DS in the big match.
Duleeka Brahmanage, a multi-talented player who is playing his third year has scored a mammoth total of 512 runs in 15 matches inclusive of one century and five half centuries. Third year player and all-rounder Supun Madusanka, is the vice-captain and has made a total of 380 runs in 15 matches and taken 45 wickets this season. Mutalif Mohammed is a leading contributor with the bat 485 runs and he has taken 21 wickets. Uvin Bandara also another star player in the side has shown his colours with a total of 412 runs with three half centuries and bagged 17 wickets in bowling. Kanishka Prashan with 380 runs completes the batting department. Left arm fast bowler Binura Fernando also supports the side with 240 runs and his superb bowling has bagged him a total of 66 wickets in 14 matches.
Taking up head coach duties is Pasan Wanasinghe with Mohamed Azar functioning as his deputy.
D S Senanayake College has enjoyed a superb season this year winning on 1st innings vs St Joeseph’s, Royal, Trinity, St Sebastians, Nalanda, Thurstan etc. and has had two outrights against Lumbini and St Aloysius,
All previous encounters have been drawn. However, the ODIs Mahanama won thrice in 2008 and 2010, 2012 while D.S. won thrice in 2007,2009 and 2011. Therefore this year’s battle is thrown wide open with much anticipation for both sides
Mahanama College squad :
Pawan Devinda (Captain), Naveen Silva(Vice Captain), Senura Welagedara, Gihan Sanjeewa, Dulanja Siriwardena, Subuddhi Kaushalya, Nayana Prabhath, Tharanga Madushanka, Dulanjana Seneviratne, Kalana Ashan, Chamara Silva, Umesh Wijesinghe, Kalindu Lakshan, Sahan Peiris, Thanula Sandesh Wickremasinghe, Praneeth Satharasinghe and Kavinga Dharshana.
Coach- Shiraz Samsudeen, Asst.Coach- Manjula Perera
Master-In-Charge : Leslie Harischandra.
D S Senanayake College squad :
Duleeka Braghmanage (Captain),Supun Madushanka (Vice Captain), Harith Maduwantha,Binura Fernando, Angelo, Geeth Perera, Kanishka Prashan, Nadeesha Dhanukshika, Akeel Inham, Suchintha Karunarathne, Raveen De Silva, Uvin Bandara, Binura Fernando, Thimila, Kavin Bandara, Nimesh Weragala, Udesh Sendanayake, Vishal, Shifran Muthalif.
Coach: Pasan Manasinghe, Ass Coach :Mohomed Azhar
Master In charge: Nihal Fernando
