St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa will eye another historic win but Prince of Wales’ College will be looking to make certain that their ordinary season doesn’t continue to the ‘Big Match’ when the two rivals in Moratuwa meet for the 66th “Battle of the Golds” on the 11th and 12th of March at De Zoyza Stadium.
The 31st limited overs cricket encounter between the two schools will be played at the same venue on 13th March (Sunday). The Sebastianites lead the tally in the shorter-format of the game with 14 wins while Prince of Wales’ are not far behind with 13 victories.
History of the Encounter
Out of the 65 matches that have been played so far, the Cambrians have recorded six wins while the Sebastianites have registered three victories. The rest of the matches have ended in draws. Prince of Wales last won in 1977 under Premlal Fernando while St. Sebastian’s regained the shield in 2011 when they were led by Sanitha De Mel.
Last year’s the Moratuwa Spectacle was interrupted by heavy rain but the highlight of the game came when Cambrian Jayanga Peiris slammed a superb century.
The unbeaten St. Sebastian’s outfit
The Sebastianites have the clear-cut edge over their rivals as they remained unbeaten throughout the season having played 16 matches with one outright win against St Benedict’s College. St. Sebastian’s will be led by Sri Lanka under 19 player and 5th year coloursman Avishka Fernando, who missed out most of the season due to National duty but has scored two hundreds and two half centuries in the few matches that he represented his alma mater.
Not a team of Champions but a Champion team
Opening batsman Praveen Perera has been the main man with the bat scoring over 900 runs while the Vice-captain Sandaruwan Fernando has aggregated over 750 runs with two centuries. Mishen Silva who has a best knock of 175 against St Benedict’s and having accumulated over 700 runs, he will be the one of the batsmen the Cambrians keep an eye on. Tharusha Fernando, Damian de Buyzer, Nuwanidu Fernando and Sachintha Silva are the other leading batsmen in the team.
Left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama has been the most successful bowler for St. Sebastian’s having captured over 80 wickets this season. Tharusha Fernando, Nimesh Bandara, Sachintha Silva and Mishen Silva are the other bowlers who will provide the back-up support as they have shared over 35 wickets amongst them.
St. Sebastian’s: Avishka Fernando (Captain), Sandaruwan Fernando, Nimesh Bandara, Mishen Silva, Sachintha Silva, Praveen Perera, Preshain Fernando, Tashika Perera, Tharusha Fernando, Damian de Buyzer, Nuwanindu Fernando, Praveen Jayawickrama, Nishitha Abilesh, Mevan Muhandiramge, Malintha Peiris, Gihan Senanayake, Imal Boteju (Coach), Frank Cooray (MIC)
The capable Cambrians’ outfit
Sri Lanka under 19 left-arm spinner and 5th year coloursman, Thilan Nimesh will lead out Prince of Wales’ College this weekend. He has played only 5 matches this season due to national commitments. POW have played 14 matches and secured two wins, against Dharmapala Pannipitiya and Royal Panadura, but suffered one defeat at the hands of St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya.
Prince of Wales determined to regain past glory
The Cambrians batting responsibilities will have to be shouldered by their deputy skipper Vihanga Weerakkody who has scored over 700 runs to top the batting charts this season. Sandun Soysa is also a very dependable batsman with over 550 runs to his name this year. Vishwa Chathuranga has notched up over 450 runs to his credit to bolster their batting with Dilanka Maduranga, Kasun Ekanayake and Avindu Fernando’s support being vital for them keep the scoreboard moving.
The Prince of Wales’ bowling will depend on their skipper Thilan Nimesh who no doubt will be a big boost for the side and right arm spinner Savindu Peiris who has taken over 45 wickets while Dilesh Nanayakkara and Ravindu Jayasinghe will be expected to support them to curtail their opposition.
Prince of Wales: Thilan Nimesh (Captain), Vihanga Weerakkody, Anjula Sahan, Dilanka Gunasekera, Sandun Soysa, Savindu Peiris, Hasindu Wijewardena, Ravindu Janith, Sanoj Dharshaika, Suwath Mendis, Vishwa Peiris, Avindu Fernando, Dilesh Nanayakkara, Kasun Ekanayake, Dhanushka Kumara, Sanjaya Fernando, Kushan Jayawickrama (Coach), Kasun Wickramatileke (MIC).
