The 28th edition of the ‘Hill Country Battle of the Golds’ (Kanda Udarata Ran Maha Satana) annual Big Catch Cricket Encounter between Sri Rahula College, Katugastota and Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College, Kandy (formerly known as St. Paul’s College, Kandy), will be staged during this weekend at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. As two blockbuster sides have well balanced outfits, this edition promises to be a spectacle of skill, passion and history.
Though the rivalry began in 1981, the ‘Battle of the Golds’ has seen its pauses, halting for various internal and uncontrollable reasons over the decades. However, the fire has remained undiminished. To date, Sri Sumangala dominates the head-to-head tally with nine titles, while Sri Rahula has managed to secure five victories. Both schools have also contributed significantly to National Cricket, producing stars of the calibre of Sri Lanka’s Asela Gunaratne (Sri Rahula) and Sajith Fernando (Sri Sumangala).
Both schools competed in the Division III Tier ‘A’ during the recently concluded Schools’ Cricket League, but it was the Sumangalians who enjoyed the superior campaign by asserting their dominance. The school led by left-handed batting all-rounder Savindu Nisal Chanuka, Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College had an excellent run, qualifying for the final round. Their season statistics are impressive: two innings victories, an outright victory, and five first-innings wins from their eight games. This consistency is a testament to their depth and resilience.
In contrast, Sri Rahula College, led by the talented right-handed all-rounder Thaveesha Shenal Jayasooriya, also qualified for the final round, but secured a slightly lesser haul of two innings wins, one outright victory, and two first-innings wins.
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Sri Sumangala’s batting lineup looks particularly formidable this year. They possess a top order capable of posting massive totals. Opener Thisara Gimhana has been in scintillating form, amassing 571 runs with five half-centuries. He is well-supported by middle-order anchor Aruj Ekanayake, who has scored 556 runs including two centuries and two half-centuries. The depth in their batting is evident in the contributions from Oshitha Abiru (301 runs), Nimesh Senevirathna (432 runs), Themura Samarathunga (372 runs), and Vihanga Prabasha (334 runs). With so many players in form, the Rahula bowlers will face a grueling test.
In the bowling department, Sri Sumangala once again appeared to have the upper hand with a more varied attack. Themura Bhashwara Samarathunga has been a revelation, leading the wicket-taking charts with a staggering 52 scalps, including a devastating spell of 7 for 34. He is ably supported by Nimesh Senevirathna (25 wickets), Tisara Gimhana (19 wickets) and Ravindu Nimsara (23 wickets).
Sri Rahula’s batting hopes, however, rest heavily on their Captain, Thaveesha Shenal Jayasooriya. He has been a one-man army for his side, scoring 594 runs with a century and two half-centuries. Thiyum Samaranayaka (375 runs), Gagana Kavishan Mahakumbura (314 runs), Nethum Sandira Bandara (335 runs), and Pathum Bandara (380 runs) provide support, but they will need to fire collectively to match the Sumangala batting might.
Sri Rahula’s bowling revolves around their Captain, who has taken 67 wickets, and right-arm off-spinner Kaveesha Geeth Ariyarathna, who has bagged 30 wickets. With Praboth De Silva, Savinu Niduwara Mendis, and Buddhika Wijesinghe rounding out the attack, Rahula has the firepower to strike, but containing the in-form Sumangala batters will be their biggest challenge.
As the 28th edition approaches, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter. While Sri Rahula College will be eager to close the gap in the title tally and rely on their Captain’s heroics, Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College enters the fray with a balanced unit, better season statistics, and historical momentum. Will Sri Sumangala continue their dominance, or will Sri Rahula pull off an upset? Time will tell this weekend.
Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College, Kandy Cricket Squad – Savindu Nisal Chanuka (Captain), Thisara Gimhana, Themura Bhashwara Samarathunga, Nimesh Lakshan Senevirathna, Vihanga Prabasha (WK), Aruj Ekanayake, Oshitha Abiru, Sasiru Gokith, Kaushalya Amunugama, Shamith Induwara, Ravindu Nimsara Madanayake, Chethana Eranda, Dilitha Ekanayake, Induwara Bandara
Sri Rahula College, Katugastota Cricket Squad – Thaveeha Shenal Jayasooriya (Captain), Gagana Kavishan Mahakumbura (WK), Kavindu Thiyum Samaranayaka, Nethum Sandira Bandara, Chamindu Sathsara, Pathum Bandara, Savinu Mendis, Banuka Weerapana, Praboth Madushanka De Silva, Kaveesha Geeth, Kavindu Buddhika Wijesinghe, Nadeesha Bandara, Oshada Sathsara, Pahan Wimalaweera
 annual Big Catch Cricket Encounter between Sri Rahula College, Katugastota and Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College, Kandy (formerly known as St. Paul’s College, Kandy), will be staged during this weekend at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. As two blockbuster sides have well balanced outfits, this edition promises to be a spectacle of skill, passion and history.){kind=link}