The town that has produced many cricketing greats gears up for their big battle on 8th and 9th of March as the De Zoysa Stadium which is being dressed up for the occasion already.
The 63rd encounter of the battle of the Golds will take place between arch rivals St Sebastian’s College and Prince of Wales College.
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. 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.
St Sebastian’s and Prince of Wales boasting of a rich history, has produced a number of players in to the national cricket arena of Sri Lanka including players like Romesh Kaluwitharana, Roger Wijesuriya, Sajeev de Silva, Prasanna Jayawardane and Lahiru Thirimanne.
A thundering head to head is expected in this Moratuwa mele as both teams have gone unbeaten with four wins each. POW played 16 inter schools matches and managed 4 outright wins against Dharmapala Pannipitya, Mahanama, Isipathana and Sri Sunmangala Panadura while adversaries St Sebastian’s obtained 4 out-rights beating the fancied St Peters, Holy cross, St Anthony’s and Moratu Vidyalaya in 15 school matches played.
This year the boys from POW will be directed by right hand opening batsman Kusal Mendis. Contributing as a right hand batsman is Ashen Mendis the vice-captain. Left hand batsman Shanuka Dulaj stands out in all-round capacity for his team with 850 runs under his belt for the season and more than 70 left-arm leg spin wickets. His score of 117 against Mahanama College being outstanding. The bowling is well-empowered with Thilan Nimesh, Jayanga Peiris, and Shanuka Dulaj accumulating most of the wickets this season
The batting department of the Sebastian’s team is strengthened by the captain Anushka Perera who scored 448 runs in the current season. Vice Captain Anuk Fernando being a left arm fast bowler and left arm batsman, supported the team for their 4 outright victories. Anuk Fernando has scored 300 runs with 30 wickets in the current season. Luke Jayadewa has also been one of the main batting stays for them with 325 runs this season while Kusal Edirisooriya scored 350 taking 35 wickets.
With a load of experience as a player at Bloomfield for 8 years and Sri Lanka Air Force cricket club for another 8 years, Mr. Hashan Peiris will guide the Sebastian’s while Mr. Suranga Wijenayaka who recorded the top bowling average for Prince of Wales College (7/33) has been mentoring his old school as coach.
The Papare team wishes both teams the best of luck.
Prince of Wales’ College 1st XI cricket team
Kusal Mendis (Capt), Ashen Mendis, Shanuka Dulaj, Suchira Fernando, Chrishen Aponso, Thilan Nimesh, Sachith Pushpakumara, Janeesha Fernando, Hasitha Lanka, Ravindu Sasanka, Sachin Silva, Shenal Chethaka, Suraj Wijetunga, Devaka Dabare, Gayan Chamara, Jayanaga Peiris,
Suranga Wijenayake (Coach), Nalinda Dissanayake (Asst. Coach), Akila Bandara (MIC).
St. Sebastian’s College 1st XI cricket team
Anushka Perera (Capt), Anuk Fernando, Luke Jayadeva, Sachintha Fonseka, Isuru Mendis, Sangeeth Cooray, Avishka Fernando, Gayan Silva, Shan Fernando, Sachinda Gunawardana, Visal Senanayake, Kusal Edirisinghe, Nimesh Fernando, Pramesh Fernando, Vimukthi Pushpakumara, Pramod Fernando, Muditha Fernando,
Hashan Peiris (Coach), Kalpa Fernando (Asst. Coach), Frank Cooray (MIC).
