Exciting cricket on the cards

Francis Warnakulasuriya Pothuhera Special Corr

St. Anne's College with three out right victories this season will meet Maliyadeva College who has three 1st innings. Both teams enter the fray to display, 'exciting cricket in their 26th encounter, "The Battle of the Rocks" to be played today and tomorrow at Welegedera Stadium Kurunegala commencing 9.30 a.m. on both days.

This year the two Old Boys Associations of these schools along with the heads of the two schools have already taken steps to celebrate this annual occasion in a low key to respect the victims of tsunami.

A history of this series shows that the 'Devans' have won twice while Annites have none to their credit. The rest of the matches have ended in drawn.

The 13th limited overs match for the "Janaka Bogollagama" Trophy will be played on 13th Sunday at the same venue to go ahead with the traditions uninterruptedly.

In the one day series fully stands six wins to each team.

"Annites" did well this season play 11 matches out of these matches they recorded three out right wins and four 1st innings wins, while others ended in no decisions.

Fifth year player Bathiya Rathnayake leads the St. Annes side. In 1998 he toured India representing the under-13 district team. He is a hard-hitting stroke player scored 600 runs including four half centuries and is also a right arm medium pace bowler. His best bowling figures was 4 for 20 against St. Benedicts College Kotahena.

Fourth year colursman Derrick Martin is the vice captain of the side. A solid left hand top-order batsman in the side scored 370 runs is also a useful fielder.

Third year player Wangisha Malawana another good top order batsman and also a bowler scored over 300 runs and captured 15 wickets this season.

Prabath Aravinda (4th year), Naveen Kahapola (3rd year) Nuski Lazar (3rd year) Roshan Kaleel (4th year), players are seniors who are big asset to the St. Anne's side.

S. B. Yatawara the St. Annes coach has done a good job for St. Anne's Cricketers.

"Devans" played 9 matches, recorded & 1st innings wins and rest of the matches were drawn. Fourth year colours man best all-rounder Wiranga Dissanayake leads the Maliyadeva side. The middle-order batsman scored 200 runs this season inclusive of one half century.

Fourth year player Sameera de Soysa is the vice captain of the side. He is the best all rounder of the side, he represented the under-15 Sri Lanka national school cricket team and participated in Sharjah tournament and under 17 Asia Cup tournament in 2002 and 2004. He has scored 350 runs so far.

Fifth Year player and last year captain of the side Shalika Karunanayake is the most, outstanding player in the side scored 670 runs and captured 32 wickets this season.

He represented the under 15, and under 17 national teams and toured Sarjah and India in 2002, and 2003. He has been selected to the under 19 national team.

Shalika Karunanayake, a splendid performance put up against Dharmaraja College, Kandy to score marvellous 165 runs in their first innings and followed it up this with a half century in the second innings which gave him any aggregate of over two hundred runs in the match a tremendous achievement.

Karunanayake also proved that he is one of the top all rounders this season capturing 6 wickets, against Dharmaraja.

All expect Shalika to come up with another splendid performance during this big game. Hishan Gunawardena, Rajitha Rathnayake, Duminda Dassanayake, Wimanga Perera are the most experienced player in their side to over-come their rivals.

Former cricketer of Maliyadeva Thusitha Herath coaches the Maliyadeva side.