The cricket fraternity in Kurunegala will be electrified again as the ancient city of the Tuskers Rock prepares to host the 14th annual ‘Battle of the Tuskers’ bigmatch at the picturesque Welagedara International Cricket Stadium. The highly anticipated three-day cricket encounter between Maliyadeva Model School and Ibbagamuwa Central College is scheduled to be played on April 1, 2, and 3, promising three days of intense school cricket rivalry.
Organized under the collaborative guidance of the Old Boys’ Associations of both schools, the match is a staple on the Northwestern Province’s sporting calendar. Notably, this year marks only the second time in the fixture’s history that the encounter will be contested over three days, following the inaugural three-day format introduced last year which etched in the history books as the first ever three day school cricket big match in Wayamba (North Western) Province.
While the extended format was introduced to breed a definitive result, the longer version of the Battle of the Tuskers has historically been a tale of stalemates. All previous longer-format encounters, including last year’s inaugural three-day match, have ended in draws. As both teams take the field on April 1, the primary objective will be to break this jinx and etch their names in history as the first team to claim the coveted longer-format title.
Both sides ply their trade in the All Island Inter-School Under 19 Division III Tier ‘A’ Cricket tournament, but it is Maliyadeva Model who head into the clash with the psychological edge, having enjoyed a markedly better season.
The Models boast an impressive season resume, securing an innings win, an outright win, and three first-inning wins, marred only by an outright loss and an innings loss. Their success has been heavily anchored by a devastating duo of all-rounders.
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Captain Sayuru Jayathilaka has been prolific with the bat, by collecting 374 runs in just 7 matches, studded with four half-centuries and a top score of 64 against Wickramashila National School, Giriulla. However, his prowess isn’t limited to the batting crease. His right-arm off-spin has yielded a staggering 42 wickets this season, highlighted by a fearsome 9-wicket haul against Skandavarodaya College, Jaffna.
Equally potent is Vice-Captain Vihanga Vimukthi Kularathna, who perfectly complements his skipper. Kularathna has chipped in with 276 runs, including two fifties, with a season-best of 66 against Nugawela Central College. With the ball, the left-arm pace bowler has matched his captain exactly, claiming 42 wickets from 7 outings. Kularathna’s resume this season is a fast bowler’s dream: four 5-wicket hauls, a 10-wicket match haul against Hindu College, Jaffna, and devastating spells of 8/35 against Nugawela Central and a mesmerizing 6/5 against Skandavarodaya College.
With Dinuka Dananjaya, Nadhun Bandara, and Shehan Sandeepa providing excellent support in the bowling lineup, Maliyadeva Model possesses a well-rounded, deeply threatening squad.
Ibbagamuwa Central College, fondly known as the Pink Tuskers, has had a moderately successful season in the same division, securing two outright victories but suffering defeats in their other four encounters. However, the nature of school cricket rivalries dictates that season form often goes out the window when the Big Match arrives.
The Pink Tuskers will rely heavily on their depth in batting. Vice-Captain Pasan Sandanayaka has been the rock at the top, accumulating 326 runs from 11 matches, including two half-centuries. His highest score of 85, crafted against home-town rivals Sir John Kothalawala College, will give him immense confidence heading into the Tusker clash. He is well-supported by a formidable middle order: newcomer Sachin Ayodya (288 runs), Dithnal Wijethunga (256), Nethum Nilasara (236), and Wenusha Alahakoon (228) have all shown the ability to grind out runs.
In the bowling department, Ibbagamuwa Central will look towards Dithnal Wijethunga to lead the attack. Wijethunga has snapped up 29 wickets this season, boasting incredible figures of 7/27 against Wayamba Royal College and 6/26 against Ananda National School, Puttalam. Skipper Yasiru Attygalle has been a more than capable partner, claiming 23 wickets, including a stellar 10-wicket match bag against Ananda National College. The spin and pace options will be rounded out by Kaveesha Madushan, Nethum Nilasara, and Oshada Senevirathna.
While the focus for the first three days will be on securing the maiden three-day title, the rivalry extends into the white-ball format. The 50-over encounter is slated for Sunday, April 5, at the same venue.
Historically, Ibbagamuwa Central has dominated the one-day series, leading 8-3 with two matches ending in no-decisions. However, the momentum has drastically shifted in recent years. Maliyadeva Model has won the last two limited-overs encounters, and they will be fiercely determined to secure a hat-trick of titles. Conversely, the Pink Tuskers will be eager to reclaim their historical dominance and spoil the Models party.
