The 47th edition of the ‘Battle of Kotte’, the annual big match between CMS Sri Jayawardenepura College (formerly Christian College) and St. Thomas’ College, Kotte, played during the last weekend at the historic Colts Cricket Club Grounds, Colombo. In a display of complete dominance, CMS Sri Jayawardenepura College posted a resounding 7-wicket victory to retain the coveted K. J. Ranasinghe Memorial Shield, powered by a superlative batting performance backed by a disciplined bowling attack.
Winning the toss and opting to field first, Sri Jayawardenepura skipper Talisha Silva looked to exploit early moisture on the surface. The decision paid immediate dividends as the Skipper himself, opening the bowling with his right-arm pace, struck on the very fourth ball of the innings, removing the Thomian opener without a run on the board. The early double blow left St. Thomas’ struggling at 13 for 2.
However, a recovery seemed on the cards as Nethsara Kawya and Chamindu Ransara constructed a slow but steady partnership of 53 runs for the third wicket. Just as the Thomians looked to stabilize, the stand was broken courtesy of a sharp runout effected by Daham Kaushalya. This dismissal triggered a collapse: St. Thomas’ failed to find momentum thereafter and lost wickets in clusters. Nethsara Kawya waged a lone battle, anchoring the innings with a fighting knock of 46 runs, but lacked support from the other end. The Thomians were eventually bundled out for a paltry 111 runs. The damage was done primarily by the Captain-Vice Captain duo, with Talisha Silva and Manuth Malsuka claiming three wickets apiece.
In reply, Sri Jayawardenepura found themselves in unexpected trouble. The Thomian bowlers, led by Dimithri Anthony and Nidushan Kaveesha, struck repeatedly to leave the Jayawardenepura side struggling at 54 for 5. With the game in the balance, a match-changing partnership emerged between Pramodara Sathsara and Daham Kaushalya. The pair put on a magnificent 127-run stand that completely shifted the momentum.
Daham Kaushalya played the aggressor, smashing an entertaining 85 runs off just 72 balls, laced with 8 fours and 5 massive sixes. At the other end, Pramodara Sathsara held the innings together with a composed unbeaten 54. With spirited contributions from the tailenders, Sri Jayawardenepura posted a substantial total of 200 runs, giving them a vital first-innings lead. For St. Thomas’, Dimithri and Nidushan were the pick of the bowlers, finishing with three wickets each.
Trailing by 89 runs, St. Thomas’ College needed a solid start in their second innings, and openers Chamindu Ransara and Nidushan Kaveesha provided exactly that. However, the resistance was short-lived. Once Rusiru Rishmitha provided the breakthrough, the Thomian batting collapsed dramatically, sliding from 39 for 0 to being all out for just 118 runs. Nidushan Kaveesha (36) and Avinash Perumal (27) were the only notable contributors with the bat. The bowling attack for Sri Jayawardenepura was led brilliantly by Nishith Shehenka and Thulana Sethum.
After receiving a target of 30 runs for victory, Sri Jayawardenepura experienced a brief hiccup, losing three quick wickets to induce a moment of panic. However, Daham Kaushalya, who had been instrumental in the first innings, ensured there were no further surprises. He carried his side home in style with a slog sweep, sealing the victory with a huge six over the mid-wicket area.
With this comprehensive win, CMS Sri Jayawardenepura College recorded their 11th triumph in the history of the encounter, retaining the K. J. Ranasinghe Memorial Shield for yet another year and cementing their supremacy at the 47th Battle of Kotte.
Brief Scorecard
St. Thomas’ College, Kotte (1st innings) – 111 all out (40.2 Overs)
Nethsara Kawya 45, Avinash Perumal 12, Dimithri Anthony 10, Chamindu Ransara 10
Manuth Malsuka 28/3, Talisha Silva 29/3, Ranuka Sandeep 15/1
CMS Sri Jayawardhanapura Maha Vidyalaya, Kotte (1st innings) – 200 all out (52.2 Overs)
Daham Kaushalya 85, Pramodara Sathsara 54*, Anjana Nidusha 19, Pasindu Pinsara 12, Nishith Shehenka 10
Dimithri Anthony 49/3, Nidushan Kaveesha 66/3, Ashwin Prakan 4/1, Dillen Frank 21/1, Tharindu Ranjaka 41/1
St. Thomas’ College, Kotte (2nd innings) – 118 all out (57 Overs)
Nidushan Kaveesha 36, Avinash Perumal 27, Nethsara Kawya 13, Sadil Perera 10
Nishith Shehenka 24/3, Thulana Sethum 29/3, Manuth Malsuka 18/2, Rusiru Rishmitha 26/2,
CMS Sri Jayawardhanapura Maha Vidyalaya, Kotte (2nd innings) – 34/3 (3.5 Overs)
Daham Kaushalya 12*, Rasal Weerakkodi 9, Thulana Sethum 6
Dimithri Anthony 15/2, Nidushan Kaveesha 15/1
Sri Jayawardhanapura Maha Vidyalaya won by seven wickets.
Individual Awards
Best Bowler – Dimithri Anthony (St. Thomas’)
Best Batsman – Pramodara Sathsara (Sri Jayawardhanapura)
Man of the Match – Daham Kaushalya (Sri Jayawardhanapura)
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