One of the celebrated school’s cricket battles in Sri Lanka, the historic Prince of Wales’ vs St. Sebastian’s clash, which brings together the town of Moratuwa to one place, commenced today for the 69th occasion, at its usual premises, The Zoysa Stadium Moratuwa with Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata PLC, as the main sponsor for this grand event.
St. Sebastian’s skipper Nuwanidu Fernando had the luck with the coin toss and asked Suwath Mendis, captain of the opposition to bat first.
So far, the Cambrians have a slight edge in the record books as they lead the victory column with 6 to Sebastian’s 3 wins. But in the limited overs encounters, the roles are reversed as Sebastian’s have an impressive 17-13 lead.
Read: Prince of Wales’ on a roll, St. Sebastian’s looking to prove themselves
Cambrian openers, Tharindu Amarasinghe and Vinuja Ranpul didn’t last long in the middle as left armer Bihanga Mendis started to find his groove with the ball in hand. Batting team was in trouble at one stage when they were 3 down for 50 runs. But then Cambrian skipper Suwath Mendis and right-handed batsman Dinura Fernando combined for an important 78-run partnership to solidify the Prince of Wales’ innings.
Watch: Video – වසර 42කට පසුව ජයග්රහණය සොයා යන – වේල්ස් කුමර විද්යාලය 2018/19 Preview
Once Dinura Fernando fell at the hands of off spinner Praveen Cooray, the Cambrian innings fell apart again. Suwath Mendis took the responsibility and saw his team past the 150 mark and then tried to accelerate to collect as much as he could before the innings concluded. After a true ‘captain’s innings’ Mendis departed as the last wicket for Prince of Wales’ with a well-made 78.
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While the opposition captain starred with the bat, St. Sebastian’s skipper Nuwanidu Fernando bagged 4 wickets to end the Cambrian innings for a below par 194 in 78.5 overs. Nuwanidu’s 3 wickets also included a hat-trick, which is the first in the history of Prince of Wales-St. Sebastian’s encounters.
Sebastianites were 43/1 in 17 overs at the stumps, led by Nuwanidu again with his unbeaten 24.
Photos: 69th Battle of the Golds | Day 1
Stay logged on to ThePapare.com for photos & latest updates from the 69th Battle of the Golds 2019. The 34th limited overs cricket encounter between St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa and Prince of Wales’ College, Moratuwa which will be played on 17th March at De Zoysa Stadium, Moratuwa can be viewed on Dialog Television Channel No. 77, MyTV and ThePapare.com.
Brief Scores
Prince of Wales College – 194 (78.5) Suwath Mendis 78, Dinura Fernando 44, Nuwanidu Fernando 4/24, Vihanga Mendis 2/21, Praveen Coorey 2/32
St. Sebastians College – 43/1 (17) Nuwanindu Fernando 24*
Day 01 – Stumps
