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| Saturday, 27 March 2004 |
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Keen contest expected in the 46th battle of the Babes by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Correspondent A keen contest is expected when St. Sylvester's College, Kandy, take on Vidyartha College, Kandy in their 46th 'Battle of the Babes' which will be played at the Asgiriya International Cricket Stadium, Kandy on Sunday and Monday (March 28th and 29th). Play commences on both days at 9.45 a.m. Sylvestrians lead the series with 13 wins against three by Vidyartha while 29 matches have been left drawn. St. Sylvesters who have been dominating this series last won in 1998 under Hemantha Wimalawickrema while Vidyartha's last victory was way back in 1967 when R. M. Lafir brought home their third win in the series. R. M. Lafir later played cricket and rugby for Police and also rugby for the national team. He is now a senior Superintendent of Police. This big match which is nearing the half century could hardly be called the 'Battle of the Babes' has seen some outstanding performances. Thushara Kodikara of Vidyartha College slammed 217 not out in the mid eighties which is the highest individual score in any big match in the country. He scored these runs before tea which is also a record. In the same match M. P. Sugathadasa also scored 128 not out for the Sylvestrians. Then in another big match the present Chief Executive Officer of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd. Tikiri Kobbekaduwa and Duncan Van Dort scored centuries for the Sylvestrians. In bowling Nimal Rajakaruna of St. Sylvester's captured four wickets in four balls and this included a hat-trick in 1966. Sylvestrian Sarath Basnayake's 9 for 7 stands out as the best bowling figures in the series. All-rounder Kenneth Udawatte who will be playing in his fifth year will lead the Sylvestrians. Udawatte who is a top left arm spinner has not lived up to his early promise, but is expected to come good on this big occasion. Medium pacer Shafraz Hameed is the vice captain of the side. A fiery medium pacer who will open the attack will be playing in his fourth year. He has this season captured 40 wickets and also scored 300 runs. The Sylvestrians after an indifferent start recovered to make their presence felt in the tournament. Their batsmen have shown pleasing form with no less than four centurions in Shanaz Najurdeen, Ravi Karunaratne, Tharanga Jayatissa and Rajitha Wickremerachchi who promoted from the junior team slammed 117 in only his third match against Dharmaraja College in the last outing for the season. Apart from the skipper and his deputy the other batsman who have performed well are Tharanga Jayatissa (600 runs), Shanaz Najurdeen (580 runs), Dananjaya Karunaratne (350 runs), Hashan Gunaratne (550 runs), Ravi Karunaratne (550 runs) Lahiru Manchanayake (300 runs), Thilina Wickremasinghe (400 runs), Chanaka Ranaweera (350 runs) and Rajitha Wickremarachchi (250 runs). Shafraz Hameed (40 wkts.) will open the attack with Ravi Karunaratne (23 wkts) with left arm medium pacer Thusith Wijesekera (25 wkts) coming in at first change. Dananjaya Karunaratne completes the pace quartet. Their main spinner is off spinner Shanaz Najurdeen with 35 wickets and he will be supported by left arm spinner Chanaka Silva (25 wkts) with skipper Kenneth Udawatta providing more spin to the attack with his left arm spinner. Thilina Wickremasinghe has 35 victims to his credit from behind the stumps. St. Sylvesters have played 13 matches, won two on first innings lost 7 on first innings and also figured in four 'No Decisions'. Vidyartha College will be led by fifth year colourman Kosala Kulasekera - one of the finest all-rounders produced by this school. He excelled at the Youth World Cup earlier this year and junior national duty made him miss almost all the matches this year. Last year he scored over 600 runs and did not bowl much due to an arm injury. In his absence his deputy Eranga Gangoda led the side but the absence of Kulasekera was felt in most matches. Eranga Gangoda scored over 600 runs including a century against Panadura Royal College and also captured 30 wickets with his off spinners. Other batsmen who could swell the score are Duminda Wekadapola (500 runs), Shakila Narankotuwa (250 runs), Dilan Senanayake (200 runs), Janaka Weerasekera, T. Prabath and Chandra Hapukotuwa. With Kosala Kulasekera back in the side, he will spearhead the pace attack with last year's captain providing the extra pace. Right arm off spinner Eranga Gangoda with 30 wickets is their trump card in the spin department. Left arm spinner Dilan Senanayake 25 wkts) and off spinner Shakila Narankotuwa had the Sylvestrians in a spin in last year's big match with some tight bowling. Left arm spinner N. C. Basnayake too has shown good form this season. Janaka Weerasekera will keep wickets. Vidyartha College have played 12 matches, won on first innings four lost on first innings four and lost one outright and figured in three 'No Decisions'. |
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