Maliyadeva to rock Annites
Francis WarnakulasooriyaPothuhera Special Corr.
Maliyadeva College with seven outright wins this school cricket
season will confront their arch rivals St. Anne's College with
confidence in their 30th annual cricket encounter, 'The battle of the
rocks' on March 13-14 at Welagedera Stadium, Kurunegala commence at 9.30
a.m. on both days.Dialog Telecom will be the main sponsor for the big
match this year.The 17th limited over game will be played on March 15 at
the same venue from 10.30 a.m.
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Maliyadeva College: (Seated from left) W.W.A.G. Manishan
(Vice Captain), D.D. Madumal (Captain, Mr. R.M. Haris
Bandara (Coordinator), Mr. R.M.M. Rathnayake (Principal),
Mr. U.A.B.W.M.R.S. Bandaranayake (Master in charge), Mr.
H.A.S.B. Marapana (Coach), A.K.W. Perera, Middle row from
left L.D.A.M. Salinda, A.A.K.K. Amarasinghe, L.K. Francisco,
S.A.I. Manishka, P.A.N. Withanranage, D.A.S.S. Ranawaka, A.S.
Nanayakkara, G.D.N.N. Alwis, W.A.D.U. Wickremasinghe. (Back
row from Left) W.K.D. Danushka, K.I.N. Karunarathne, S.B.W.
Kumara, P.M.P.D.R. Mahawaththe, E.M.C.D. Edirisinghe, J.T.U.
Bandara, T.M.A.S. Bandara, P.T.G. Abesooriya. |
Devans have won four matches so far out of the 29 played while the
Annites have never won any. All the others have ended in no decisions.
Both teams have won seven matches each, in the limited overs encounter
which started in 1992 while on two occasions, the two teams shared the
trophy.
Star right arm leg spinner, fifth year player D.D. Madumal leads the
Devans. The experienced leg spinner who represented Sri Lanka under 19
team played a key role at the 2008 under-19 world cup, has captured 59
wickets and scored 715 runs.
His deputy, third year player Gayan Maneeshan is one of the first few
players to score 1000 plus runs this season and the only outstation
cricketer to achieve this feat and is a key batsman in the under 19
National team too. The sixth year coloursman right arm medium pacer
Wimanga Perera will spearhead the bowling attack of Madumal's team and
he has captured 47 wickets. He has served his team well with the bat
also, scoring over 980 runs this season.
St. Anne's College have won only one match this season out of the 13
matches they played while the others ended in decisions.
The Annites led by fifth year coloursman Shanaka Shaninda Silva and
he is the highest run getter for his side this season.
He has scored over 800 runs to his account with six elegant half
centuries. He has captured over 30 wickets as a right arm fast bowler.
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St. Anne’s College (Seated from Left) Deo Gunesekara, Mr.
Asela Kanumale (Coach), Shanaka Shaninda (Captain), Rev.
Bro. Denzil Mendiz (Principal), L. Lankeshwara (Vice
Captain), Mr. D. Chandrasiri (Master In charge), M. Piyasiri.
(Second row from left) C.D. Silva, M. Dilshad, R.J.
Wijesinghe, K. Srilal, A.C. Fernando, N. Rathnayake, L.
Aranpola, Y. Francis, D. Ashoke, M. Fernando, M. Ziyes, D.
Karunasinghe.
Pictures by Francis Warvakulasooriya – Pothuhera special
correspondent |
He is assisted by his experienced fifth year colleague L. Lankeshwara
who is a dependable fielder and a good prospect. Deo Gunasekera, a
tremendous right hand batsman and also a right arm off spinner is an
attractive stroke maker who has scored two half centuries this season.
The alrounder has captured 44 wickets so far and is expected to pose a
strong challenge to the Devans.
S. Marapana is the coach of the Devens side while Asela Kanumale
coaches the Annites team.
The big match which was inaugurated in 1959, has produced several
test players such as Ranjth Madurasinghe, Eric Upashantha, Rangana
Herath (Devans) and Lanka de Silva (Annites).
This year, the two Old Boys' Associations of Maliyadeva and St.
Anne's along with the heads of these schools will organize this event
while taking steps to have it in a low key manner as a mark of respect
for war heroes.
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