Sigera’s masterclass innings steals spotlight as “Battle of the Golds” ends in a stalemate

The proceedings of the third and final day of the 20th “Battle of the Golds”, the much-anticipated big match encounter between traditional rivals D.S. Senanayake College and Mahanama College, commenced at the legendary Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Grounds in Colombo 07. While the large crowd gathered at the venue hoped for a thrilling finale to this milestone encounter, the final day failed to produce any such magic, with the game eventually ending in a tame draw. However, the individual brilliance of Mahanama College skipper and national youth-capped player Dulnith Sigera stole the limelight with a magnificent knock of 189 runs.

Resuming from their overnight score of 161 without loss in reply to D.S. Senanayake College’s massive first innings total of 344, Mahanama’s openers, Dulnith Sigera (72*) and Sineth Weeraratne (83*), walked out to the middle with intent. The day began with a quick, well-timed single, setting the tone for the session. Sigera soon found his rhythm, launching into boundary-hitting mode with a delicate glance to a delivery drifting down the leg side. However, the resistance was broken when Sineth Weeraratne, looking to accelerate, charged down the track against D.S. skipper Bandaranayake. Attempting an ambitious hit, he failed to time the ball properly and sent it high into the air, where the mid-off fielder completed a safe catch. Weeraratne departed for a well-made 91, including one six and seven fours, missing out on a century by just nine runs.

Undeterred by the wicket, Sigera took charge. He launched a glorious six straight down the ground over long-off to bring up his well-compiled century, much to the delight of the Mahanama camp. The D.S. skipper, Bandaranayake, struck again soon after by dismissing newcomer Venura Kaveethra cheaply. At this stage, two national youth-capped players, Sigera and his deputy Chamika Heenatigala, joined forces. Together, they put the pressure back on the Dons. While Chamika remained watchful at one end, Sigera continued to assault the bowling attack, crossing the 150-run mark with another huge six over long-on that landed in the pavilion area. Their 82-run partnership was eventually broken when Heenatigala fell into a trap set by Haamid Afdhal. Attempting to pull a short delivery, he got a leading edge that was safely caught by the wicketkeeper.

Following this, Sithum Vihanga arrived at the crease and played the perfect supporting role, rotating the strike to keep the in-form Sigera on strike. Sigera capitalised on this, scoring freely and dominating the bowlers. He lofted deliveries over deep cover, long-on, long-off, and midwicket for massive sixes, completely controlling proceedings in the middle.

Disaster struck for Sigera just as he approached a rare double century. Going for a risky second run, he was run out following a superb fielding effort from Oshadha Perera, who returned the ball quickly to the wicketkeeper’s end. Sigera’s magnificent innings of 189 came to an end just 11 runs short of a double century. His knock was a spectacular display of aggressive batting, crafted from just 209 deliveries and featuring nine massive sixes and ten boundaries.

Despite the loss of their captain’s wicket, Mahanama pressed on and eventually surpassed D.S. Senanayake College’s first innings score. Buoyed by the clinical 192-run opening partnership between Sigera and Weeraratne, Mahanama eventually declared on 387 during the evening session, securing a first-innings lead of 43 runs – a lead that effectively ended the Dons’ hopes of forcing a result. For the Dons, Oshadha Perera produced a better spell, picking up three wickets, while skipper Bandaranayake and Haamid Afdhal chipped in with two wickets apiece.

Facing a deficit with time running out, D.S. Senanayake College’s top order opted for resistance rather than aggression during the late cameo. The only wicket to fall in the evening session was claimed by Chamika Heenatigala. At the close of play, D.S. Senanayake College were 54 for the loss of one wicket, cementing yet another tame draw in the tournament’s history.

For his magnificent knock of 189, in which he took apart almost every bowler in the Dons’ attack, Mahanama skipper Dulnith Sigera won the Player of the Tournament award. Meanwhile, Miyuru Bandara won the Best Batsman award after scoring a stylish century on the opening day and setting the tone for an entertaining contest. For his brilliant six-wicket haul in the first innings, along with claiming the only wicket to fall in the second innings, Chamika Heenatigala bagged the Best Bowler award. Thaviru Perera, who impressed in the field by saving crucial runs and taking a sharp catch, won the Outstanding Fielder award.

Brief Scorecard

D.S Senanayake College, Colombo – 344 all out (119 Overs)

Miyuru Bandara 100, Randisha Bandaranayake 48, Chanul Athale 47, Shevan Welgama 27, Sithru Gunarathna 26, Janindu Ranasinghe 24, Shaanal Binuksha 23, Bihan Gamage 14, Haamid Afdhal 10

 

Chamika Heenatigala  100/6, Sithum Vihanga 27/1, Sanuka Ganepola 30/1, Dulnith Sigera 72/1, Venura Kaveethra 50/1,

 

Mahanama College, Colombo – 387/9 dec. (87.4 Overs)

Dulnith Sigera 189, Sineth Weeraratne 91, Chamika Heenatigala 30, Sanul Weerarathne 28, Gimantha Dissanayake 14, Sithum Vihanga 11

 

Oshadha Perera 63/3, Randisha Bandaranayake 45/2, Haamid Afdhal 79/2, Chithun Baddage 67/1

 

D.S Senanayake College, Colombo – 54/1 (18 Overs)

Shevan Welgama 25 n.o, Sithru Gunarathna 14 n.o, Miyuru Bandara 13

Chamika Heenatigala 24/1

Individual Awards

• Player of the Match – Dulnith Sigera (Mahanama College)
• Best Batter – Miyuru Bandara (D.S Senanayake College)
• Best Bowler – Chamika Heenatigala (Mahanama College)
• Best Fielder – Thaviru Perera (Mahanama College)