The 66th Battle of the Golds cricket encounter between Moratu Vidyalaya and Sri Sumangala College will be worked off at the De Soyza Cricket Stadium in Moratuwa on 16th and 17th March commencing from 9.30 am.
Blast from the Past
The first encounter between Moratu Vidyalaya and Sri Sumangala College was played way back in 1952. So far, there have been 65 matches played between the two sides and Sri Sumangala College lead the tally with 8 wins while Moratu Vidyalaya have registered 7 wins.
50 matches have ended as drawn encounters in the past. Sri Sumangala College last won the Battle of the Golds under the leadership of Iresha Pushpakumara in 2007 while Moratu Vidyalaya recorded their last win in 2010 under the leadership of Anuruddha Kalhara.
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Moratu Vidyalaya
Shehada Fernando, the top scorer for Moratu Vidyalaya in this year’s Under 19 season with 385 runs will lead the side this time around. Batting sensation Nishan Madushka who represented the Sri Lanka Under 19s in the recently concluded Youth World Cup will be his deputy. He was only able to play 3 matches this season due to national duties but has stroked 270 runs for his alma mater.
Nishan Madushka is highly rated in school cricket and touted as a future Sri Lankan prospect and therefore all eyes will be on him in this year’s encounter. In addition, Janith Sewmith has scored over 300 runs and will be one of the key pillars in MV’s batting unit. Nadith Michendra is another man to keep your eye on as he has also struck 275 runs this season.
In the bowling department, right arm off spinner Shehan Jeewantha is a player to watch out for as he has taken 34 wickets in this year’s Under 19 season. Moratu Vidyalaya played in U-19 division I tournament this season and recorded only 1 outright victory with 4 outright defeats. However, the lads from Moratuwa will play continue to play in Division I next year as they finished 32nd in a 36 team tournament.
Probable XI – Shehada Fernando (Captain), Nishan Madushka, Shehan Jeewantha, Nadith Michendra, Janith Sewmith, Madushka Nilakshana, Niraj Kavishka, Rashmika Kavishka, Eran Hansamal, Chamindu Ravishka, Waruna Nimantha
Sri Sumangala College
Nipuna Deshan, the top scorer for Sri Sumangala College in this year’s Under 19 season with 882 runs will lead the side this time around. The skipper has scored 2 centuries and a double hundred (253) which came against Kularathna Vidyalaya, Ambalangoda this season. Isuru Umanga is another talented batsman to watch out for as he has scored 582 runs in 13 matches.
Pasindu Shanajith, the wicket keeper batsman of Sumangala College has stroked 482 runs in this season including 2 centuries. In addition, Tharana Gandara has also performed really well with the bat for lads from Panadura, scoring 470 runs in 13 matches. Anuka Pradeepika has been their best bowler picking up 65 wickets in 13 matches including 9 five wicket hauls.
Janidu Inuwara and the skipper Nipun Deshan have also starred with the ball, picking up 45 and 30 wickets respectively for Sri Sumangala College. Sri Sumangala College played in U-19 division II this season and recorded 2 first innings victories and 3 outright victories.
Probable XI – Nipuna Deshan (Captain), Janidu Inuwara, Pasindu Shanajith, Anuka Pradeepika, Isuru Umanga, Tharana Gandara, Poorna Prabath, Anjana Maduwantha, Himesha De Silva, Shalana Ishara, Harshana Mihiranga
Final Say
Moratu Vidyalaya and Sri Sumangala College played in two different divisions in school cricket, therefore their performances in respective divisions cannot be considered to pick a clear favourite in this year’s Battle of the Golds. Sri Sumangala College has done tremendously well this season with many victories under their belt, thus one can say they have the edge over the Moralians. On the other hand, Moratu Vidyalaya, playing in country’s premier school cricket tournament and having a Sri Lanka U-19 player in their ranks will say they are the favorites. However, one thing is for sure, with two talented teams set to take the field, you can expect a thrilling contest between bat and ball from both sides.
Live score updates, match reports and photos will be available on each day of play on ThePapare.com
