St. Sebastian’s College and Prince of Wales College which are situated at the heart of Moratuwa boast a rich history of cricket which dates back to the 19th century.
Not only have the colleges embraced cricket over the last two centuries they have also produced a number of national players who brought glory to the country.
The age-old battle between the two schools known as the Battle of the Golds will unfold for the 64th time at the De Zoysa Stadium on the 7th and 8th of March.
History
The encounter is considered to be one of the oldest big matches in Sri Lanka as it dates back to 1933. The first match in the sequence was played in 1933 under captain, Eugine Silva of St. Sebastian’s College and Duncan Fernando of Prince of Wales College.
Since the start the Cambrians have six wins while the Sebastianites have won thrice in the series with the rest ending in draws. St Sebastian’s had their last victory in 2011 under the guidance of Captain Saneetha De Mel and was unable to take 2012 which ended in a draw. Prince of Wales’s has not won a match since 1977 under the captaincy of Premlal Fernando and will be hoping to make amends this year. The Sebastiaites last won in 2011 under the captaincy of Sanitha de Mel.
Among the outstanding performances in the encounter Nilantha Kopage from Prince of Wales holds the record for the highest run scorer in a match with 179 not out in 1991. For the Sebastian’s Nalin Peiris was a highest scorer with two centuries in years 1957 and 1958. Among the leading wicket takers, the record for most number of wickets in the series is held by Roger Wijesuriya takin 22 wickets for St Sebastians from 1975 to 1979.
2013 Recap
Having the upper hand, St. Sebastian’s were able to register a first innings win in their 63rd annual encounter against Price of Wales. Rain played the spoil sport here on Friday as the entire final session of play was abandoned. Sangeeth Cooray came out with commendable performances to score 40 runs and claim 3 for 23.
Prince of Wales College – 1st Innings 162 All out : Kusal Mendis 48, Shanuka Dulaj 31 Ashen Mendis 30, Krishen Aponsu 15, Anuk Fernando 38/4, Sangeeth Cooray 23/3, Pramesh Fernando 37/2
St. Sebestian College – 1st Innings 180 All out: Avishka Fernando 49, Anushka Perera 19, Sangeeth Cooray 40, Thilna Nimesh 77/4, Dewaka Dabare 42/3
Prince of Wales College – 2nd Innings 135 for 5 : Kusal Mendis 41, Suchira Fernando 35, Ashen Mendis 23, Hasitha Lanka 21, Anuk Perera 2 for 16, Pramesh Fernendo 2 for 22)
Sebastian Battalion
Taking over the captaincy this year, Anuk Fernando as a member of the Under 19 National Cricket Squad is expected to drive the team towards maximum performance. Anuk Fernando has also fared well exceptionally in the past season.
Avishka Fernando is another strongman for Sebastian’s who has also qualified for the Under 17 national cricket squad. Sangeeth Cooray is noted to represent the Under 23 cricket squad. On to his records, he has also scored over 500 runs in this season so far. Luke Jayadewa returned from Australia after his involvement in cricket over there which is a huge advantage to the team. Lahiru Heshan, a left hand spinner and Isuru Mendis are leading wicket takers for the season.
The speicality in the St Sebastian’s side is many upcoming players – Kusal Lakthilina, Sangeeth Currey, Anuk Fernando as well as Sachintha Silva, Sandaruwan Fernando – from the under 17 squad are representing the first XI. Especially Kusal Lakthilina is noted as a young outstanding player who has been in the game throughout and contributed to the team immensely.
Warriors of Wales
The First XI already played three matches in the recent season and are gearing up to confront the opponents – St. Sebastian’s College – comfortably. Currently the team is undergoing two practice sessions which were specially implemented by the coach aiming the big match. A morning sessions inculcated for the physical training serves to build up endurance and afternoons towards usual cricket practices.
Kusal Mendis is on top among the outstanding to drive the Prince of Wales’. Mendis also has the distinction of captaining the Sri Lanka U 19 team which will certainly add to the school’s history and is the only player to captain 5 tours of the national U 19 team.
Shanuka Dulaj who is the all-rounder with outstanding qualifications at Prince of Wales’ having got 900 runs in each of the last two seasons taking 50 wickets as well. This season he has scored 650 runs from the 8 matches he has played with two centuries and three half centuries.
Thilan Nimesh is another star player to look at. On his tour of England with the national U 19 team he was named as the man of the series getting 5-6 wickets in every match.
2013/2014 season
St. Sebastian’s College has played 7 matches within this season. From which they have achieved one outright victory against Thurstan College along with 5 first inning’s victories. The major focus for the college this season is the T20 match series apart from the big match.
Entering the season as the winners of the limited overs match Prince of Wales College has fared really well in the last season. The first XI team has faced 8 matches in this season since the big match. The team had won one outright versus Mahinda College Galle and had been the first innings winners in the rest of the matches. With the big match, the team is expected to play 11 more matches this season.
Predictions
Prince of Wales College believes concentrating on each match individually helps them to relieve stress in the game. Having a fantastic cricket season since the last big match victory the First XI cricket team of Prince of Wale College has the sole aim of winning the big match too. St. Sebastian’s are also convinced they’ve learnt the mistakes from the last big match. Literally the same team playing, but with their experience playing for Sebastian’s they are convinced this big match will be their celebration. All in all, we can conclude the 2014 battle will undoubtedly be a step up from the 2013 edition with almost same players battling with much more experience.
St Sebastian’s squad :
Luke Jayadewa – batsman
Lahiru Heshan – bowler
Kusal Lakthilina – all-rounder
Avishka Fernando – all-rounder
Mudhith Fernando – batsman
Shan Fernando – all-rounder
Saveen Fernando – all-rounder
Viraj Jayaranga – batsman
Gayan Silva – batsman
Visal Senanyake – all rounder
Pramesh Fernando – bowler
Sachintha Fonseka – Wicketkeeper, Batsman
Sangeeth Coorey – All Rounder
Sashika Fernando – All Rounder
Sachin Liyanage – Bowler
Sachintha Silva – All Rounder
Isuru Mendis – All Rounder
Prince of Wales squad :
Ashen Mendis – Captain
Kusal Mendis – Vice Captain
Shanuka Dulaj – All Rounder
Chirshen Aponsu – Batsman
Suchira Fernando – Batsman
Gayan Chamara – All Rounder
Jayanga Peiris – Bowler
Vihanga Dilshan – Batsman
Sachith Pushpakumara – All-rounder
Thilan Nimesh – Bowler
Rameesha Soysa- Bowler
Hasitha Lanka – All-rounder
Shanel Chethaka – Bowler
Ashan Fernando – Bowler
Ravindu Sasanka – Batsman
Suraj Wijethunge – All rounder
Vishwa Chathuranga – Batsman
Kasun Fernando – Batsman
Kasun Ekanayake – Batsman
Senior cricket Master – Mr. Akila Bandara
Prefect of Games – Mr. Susantha Mendis
ThePapare.com wishes both teams the very best. Log in to ThePapare.com’s ‘March Madness’ to stay ahead with the updates, reviews and photos of the game.
64th Battle Of the Golds – Ashen Mendis (POW Captain)
64th Battle Of the Golds – Suranga Wijenayake (POW Coach)
64th Battle Of the Golds – Diluk Jayathilake (Seb. Captain)
64th Battle Of the Golds – Nalin Wijesinghe (Seb. Coach)
