Sylvestrians favoured to win 48th Battle of Babes

S.M. Jiffery Abdeen - Kandy Sports Correspondent

CRICKET: St. Sylvester's College, Kandy, fielding one of the strongest combinations in schools should go out favourites when they take on Vidyartha College in the 48th 'Battle of the Babes' to be played at the Asgiriya International Cricket Stadium on March 19 and 20 with play commencing at 9.45 a.m. on both days.

Both teams remain unbeaten but the Sylvestrians have a better playing record having played 11 matches won two outright against St. Sebastian's College and Isipathana College and had the better of the exchanges in the other matches. Vidyartha College have played 10 matches and drawn all games.

Of the 47 matches played so far, the Sylvestrians are in the lead winning 11 battles while Vidyartha have won just 3.

The last victory in the series was by the Sylvestrians when they won under Hemantha Wimalawickrema in 1998 and the last seven battles have ended in draws.

The last Vidyartha victory came in 1967 under R.M. Lafir when he led them to a seven wicket win. Thus the Vidyarthians have a 37 year old 'jinx' to roast which looks very remote this year too.

St. Sylvester's College will be led by fifth year coloursman Ravi Karunaratne, a punishing bat who will be entrusted with the task of opening the attack.

He has scored 680 runs and has also taken 56 wickets. The vice captain of the side is Chanaka Ranaweera, a third year colourman who has scored 350 runs and also taken 40 wickets with his left arm medium pacers.

Their key player Shanaz Najurdeen who scored 700 runs and took 46 wickets last season has played in only five matches this season and scored 300 runs and taken 25 wickets.

For runs the Sylvestrians will depend on skipper Ravi Karunaratne Chanaka Ranaweera, S. Najurdeen, Dananjaya Karunaratne, Rajitha Wickremarachchi, M. Foshal, Roshan Jayatissa and Chanaka Silva.

Skipper Karunaratne and Ranweera will open the bowling with support from medium peacers Danajaya Karunaratne, Shamika Alahakoon, Maithri Wijesekera, who have been opening the attack in most matches this season.

The strong spin attack will be in the capable hands of off spinner Shanaz Najurdeen and leg spinner N. Mohammed left arm spinner Chanaka Silva, off spinner M. Feshal off spinner Roshan Jayatissa and Chanaka Colombage, Rajitha Wickremarachchi who have 30 victims will stand behind the stumps.

The team is coached by former St. Sylvester's and Kandy CC cricketer Tudor Gunaratne. The team has three centurions in Ravi Karunaratne 102 vs Thurstan, M. Fosal 132 vs Carey and Roshan Yayatissa 125 Vs. St. Sebastians College, Moratuwa.

Vidyartha College will be led by third year player Dilan Senanayake a fine left hand bat who has scored over 400 runs including a century against St. Mary's College, Kegalle.

He played for Kandy Youths Cricket Club and was adjudged the 'Best Batsman' in the Champions trophy tournament conducted by the Sri Lanka Cricket. An effective left arm spinner who could tie down any batsman.

Madhuka Weerasekera - a third year coloursman a steady right hand batsman who has strike form this season.

Eranga Gangoda who captained the side last year is the most successful batsman in the side scoring over 600 runs and also has captured over 40 wickets with his off spinners.

Other capable batsmen in the series are Sandakelum Chandrasena, Janaka Weerasekera Asiri Karunaratne, Nadun Basnayake, Theekshana Wedagedera, Udara Wijeratne, Pathum Aluthge.

Opening the sides bowling will be left armer Asiri Karunaratne and Dilina Kaushalya with Sandakelum Chandrasena coming in at first change.

The spin attack will be led by Eranga Gangoda, supported by Dilan Senanayake, left arm spinner Nadun Basnayake, Kasun Ekanayake off spinner Theekshana Wedagedera will keep wickets.

The team is coached by two old boys B.P. Ranasinghe and former Kandy CC cricketer and Kandy District coach Chaminda Kodikara.

The Teams:

St. Sylvester's (from): Ravi Karunaratne (Captain), Chanaka Ranaweera (Vice Captain), Shanaz Najurdeen, Dananjaya Karunaratne, Rajitha Wickremarachchi, Mohammed Feshal, Chanaka Silva, Roshan Jayatissa, Shamika Alahakoon, Chanaka Colombage, Maithri Wijesekera, N. Mohammed, Yasira Chanuka, Kasun Senaviratne, Eranga A Alwis, Menaka Nanayakkara, Nuwan Dhanushka. Nuwan Nilantha. (Coach Tudor Gunaratne, MIC C.J. Kalugampitiya.) POG and Deputy Principal A.K.B. Dodanwala).

Vidyartha (from): Dilan Senanayake (Captain), Mdhuka Weerasekera (Vice Captain), Eranga Gangoda, Sandakelum Chandrasena, Nadun Basnayake, Janaka Weerasekera, Asiri Karunaratne, Kasun Ekanayake, Pathum Aluthge, Dilina Kaushalya, Udara Wijeratne, Theekshana Wedagedera, Kasun Srimal, Lalindu Alahakoon, Shamantha Aluwihare,Sachthra Wijekoon, Ravinath Thalgehagoda, Sameera Lakmal, (Coach B.P. Ranasinghe and Chaminda Kodikara, MIC Ananda Upatissa, POG and Assistant Principal W.D.C. Wijewansa.