The second edition of the ‘Wickum-Sena Battle of the Greens’ played at the DHH Turf Cricket Grounds in Akaragama, witnessed a gripping contest of dominance and resilience. While Wickramashila National School led the game from the first ball to the last, a spirited rear-guard action by the lower order of D. S. Senanayake National School ensured the match ended in a drawn result, denying the hosts a certain outright victory.
Winning the toss on a fresh, fast-bowler-friendly grassy surface, the Wickramashila Skipper Shehan Weerakoon had trust in his batsmen and had no hesitation in batting first. Openers Sachin Ivan and Shaveen Nimsara walked out to face the new ball, with right-arm pace bowler Osuka Sasen opening the attack for D. S.
The early going was tough for the batsmen. In the fifth over, Sachin Ivan was trapped plumb in front of the wicket by Indura Navodya, falling LBW. Sensing an opportunity, D. S. Skipper Teeshan Sathmika introduced himself into the attack and reaped immediate rewards. Shaveen Nimsara, lacking footwork, threw his bat at a wayward delivery and was caught by the wicket-keeper. Teeshan struck again soon after, putting the Wickramashila side in deep trouble at 38/3. However, the innings was stabilized by a crucial partnership between Nethsara Jayaratne and Supeshala Chandrasiri. The duo displayed solid technique, navigating the tricky conditions to take the score to 84/3 by lunch.
The resumption after the break brought D. S. back into the game. Indura Navodya struck shortly after lunch, removing Supeshala with a short delivery. The biggest blow came when the set Nethsara Jayaratne departed for a brilliant 63 runs. Anuda Asith then piled on the pressure by taking a wicket in the very next ball. When Dinuka was adjudged LBW against Menula Onelsha while attempting a big sweep, Wickramashila was reeling at 130/7.
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A recovery seemed unlikely until Maneth Ilankoon and Sasindu Udayanga came together. Their valuable 46-run partnership pushed the score toward safety. Just as the game was slipping away from D. S., left-arm spinner Ronal Tharamasinghe produced a peach of a delivery to castle Maneth Ilankoon LBW, again via a sweep shot. Eventually, Wickramashila was bundled out for 192 runs. Indura Navodya was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets, while Teeshan Sathmika and Anuda Asith picked up two each.
In reply, D. S. Senanayake’s innings got off to a disastrous start. Indura Navodya and Ronal Tharamasingha opened the batting, but Mithum Ginthota struck early, removing a batter without a run on the board. Ginthota was unplayable at times, picking up a couple more wickets before stumps to put Wickramashila firmly in the driving seat.
Resuming the second day, the D. S. Senanayake College’s batting line-up continued to struggle. An early partnership between Menula Onelsha and Osuka Sasen yielded 33 runs before Menula was dismissed by a straight delivery from Gawesh. The top scorer, Osuka Sasen, then perished playing a poor shot to a full toss that was caught at short cover. The D. S. lads failed to find any rhythm and were eventually wrapped up for a mere 94 runs. Mithum Ginthota was the chief destructor, completing a well-deserved 5-wicket haul, supported by Gawesh Senevirathne (3 wickets) and Shahan Weerakoon (2 wickets).
With a substantial lead, Wickramashila openers began their second innings cautiously. The slow start was interrupted when Sachin Ivan missed a straight delivery from Menula that crashed into the stumps. With the score at 27/1 in 15 overs, the Wickramashila batsmen shifted gears, putting the pedal to the metal. After a valuable 48-run partnership, Shaveen was run out via a brilliant direct hit. Shehan Weerakoon followed shortly after, stumped for 17 runs. The highlight of the second innings was Nethsara Jayaratne, who played a classic pull shot towards midwicket for a boundary to complete his second half-century of the match. Shortly after, the declaration came, setting D.S. Senanayake set a massive target and left them to survive 30 overs for a draw.
The Wickramashila Skipper, Shehan Weerakoon, set an aggressive field, aiming for a kill from the very first delivery. His bowlers responded instantly. Spearheaded by Gawesh Senevirathne, the attack dismantled the D. S. top order. The first five wickets fell for just three runs, putting the visitors under tremendous pressure. The sixth wicket fell at 9 runs, and by the end of 10 overs, D. S. had lost seven wickets. When 14 overs remained, Wickramashila took the eighth scalp with the score at just 23. Gawesh Senevirathne was wreaking havoc, and soon picked up his 7th wicket as the ninth wicket fell.
The final hour brought the fans to the edge of their seats. The ninth-wicket pair lasted for seven agonizing overs, but it was the last pair that shattered Wickramashila’s hopes. In a display of immense grit and determination, the final batsmen survived for 6.3 overs, keeping their wickets intact amidst the mounting pressure.
Despite leading the game from start to finish, Wickramashila National School failed to pull off an outright victory as they were short of just one wicket after putting on a clinical bowling display. It was D. S. Senanayake College who left the field as the happier side, having saved the game through a valiant fighting effort in the face of certain defeat.
Brief Scorecard
Wickramashila National School, Giriulla (1st inning) – 192 all out (73 Overs)
Nethsara Jayaratne 63, Maneth Ilankoon 48, Dinuka Samarajeewa 14, Supeshala Chandrasiri 13,
Indura Navodya 43/3, Teeshan Sathmika 25/2, Anuda Asith 30/2, Osuka Sasen 30/1, Ronal Tharamasinghe 13/1, Indura Navodya 35/2
D. S. Senanayake National School, Mirigama (1st inning) – 94 all out (46.5 Overs)
Osuka Sasen 27, Menula Onelsha 21, Chenuka Tharinda 17, Anuda Liyanage 10
Mithum Ginthota 31/5, Gawesh Senevirathne 23/3, Shehan Weerakoon 12/2
Wickramashila National School, Giriulla (2nd inning) – 99/3 declared (25 Overs)
Nethsara Jayaratne 52*, Sheshan Weerakoon 17, Shaveen 15
Menula Onelsha 45/2
D. S. Senanayake National School, Mirigama (2nd inning) – 48/9 (30 Overs)
Teeshan Sathmika 13, Thisara Sinura 11,
Gawesh Senevirathne 22/7, Mithum Ginthota 11/2
Special Awards
Best Bowler – Gawesh Senevirathne (Wickramashila)
Best Batsman – Nethsara Jayaratne (Wickramashila)
Best Fielder – Nethsara Jayaratne (Wickramashila)
Player of the Match – Gawesh Senevirathne (Wickramashila)
Photo Credit: Wickum-Sena Battle of the Greens FB page
