All eyes will be set for the 111th Battle of the Maroons in the Hill capital, when the big match cricketing encounter between Dharmaraja and Kingswood played for the T.B.Tennekoon Memorial Trophy takes placeon the 17th & 18th at Pallekele. There is rich history of 110 years of Big Match cricket between the two schools.
Recorded History
As history records the first big match played between the two schools dates back to the year 1893 which makes this encounter the oldest cricket match in the central province, Rajans were then captained by Sir Don Baron Jayathilake and the Kings by A.E. Spencer which was played at the Bogambara stadium which no longer is a cricketing ground. Since the early 1900’s the match was held at Asgiriya where in 2010 it was moved to Pallekele.
Dharmaraja has dominated the big matches in the recent past lifting the trophy after 30 years in 2011, since then they won all the big matches played between the two sides except for the much important last year where Kingswood won the first innings. A last Kingswood win dates back to 1957 under the captaincy of Maurice Fernando which they won by a margin of 10 wickets. So far in the 109 matches played, the history records 33 Dharmaraja wins and 19 Kingswood wins with 54 of the matches ending up drawn.
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Season’s Performance
Balancing the weights between the two sides is a tough task with regards to the season because the Rajans play the Division I and the Kings play in the Division II. Dharmaraja has had a reasonable season so far having played 11 matches so far to end up with the results of 3 first innings wins and 6 draws and to add to the record of two loses as well. Kingswood has a good season so far comparing to their past performance having won 1 outright, 2 first innings wins and 6 draws and a single loss.
Line-up between
Dharmaraja possesses a strong batting line up with the top order and the middle order had clicked when the team needed them the most. Deshan Gunasinghe and Bawantha Udangamuwa will be the key players in the top order of the Rajans line up while Niwantha Herath and Supun Vithanaarachchi are expected to step up their game when needed. Each player in the top 3 has at least a half century under their belts already.
Kingswood on the other hand consists of a reasonable bowling unit and floating batting unit which has the capability of firing at any given opportunity. Their key performer for Kingswood with the bat is their sole century maker Avishka Chandrasiri, he also has the responsibility of captaining the side.
The success for Kingswood bowling would be mainly on the hands of their captain Vimukthi Wijesiriwardana the burly right arm fast bowler who doesn’t bowl now but adds up with his batting. Ganidu Kaushalya, Janith Tennekoon and Yashodha kavinda are some of the key leading players for the Kingswood side who needs to step up if they are to win the 100th Battle of the Maroons.
Sum-up
Dharmaraja will be looking to repeat what their seniors achieved in the past years where they had a 5 match long streak with even outright wins in-between. Kingswood on the other hand would be desperate to end the hoodoo after 58 years of torment. This year they will definitely consider their chances with the line up they have. The game might have a little rain involved as Kandy is seeing plenty of rain these days.
