Third ‘Battle of the Golds’ begins today

Chinthana WASALA

The third ‘Battle of the Golds’ cricket encounter between D.S. Senanayake College and Mahanama College will be played today and tomorrow at the SSC ground.

In the previous two occasions the big match has not seen a decision but both teams will look forward to taste first victory in their Big match.

Under the captaincy of Naveen Kavikara, a specialist leg-spinner who played in the U-19 Sri Lanka team in the Youth World Cup held in Malaysia last year, DS will be a tough team. Kavikara will have the assistance of Nadun Pathirana as his deputy. Almost all the players are specialized in their respective departments and expected to provide their fullest service towards a victory.

Out of 15 matches this season DS won three against Isipathana, Dharmaraja and St. Sylvester’s while losing to Ananda and the rest of their matches ended in draws.Their main batting will be focused on Thiwanka Anuruddha, Charith Jayampathy, Harinda Udugamavithana and vice captain Nadun Pathirana who have been amongst the runs.

The two seamers and four spinners led by skipper Naveen Kavikara are confident that they can bowl their opponents out.

Mahanama College team leads by Vinod Kaluarachchi and Buddhi Sarinda his deputy.

They played 16 matches and has recorded 8 wins beating St. Mary’s Kegalle, Zahira, Sri Devananda, Royal Panadura, Carey, St. Anthony’s Wattala, De Mazenod and St. John’s Nugegoda during this season. In the other eight matches played they have drawn four and lost the rest.

Mahanama’s batting would be on their skipper Vinod Kaluarachchi, Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Sajith Ruberu, Madhuka Dharmawardena and Hashan Perera.

Dhanushka Gunathilaka and allrounder Madhuka Dharmawardena will lead the bowling attack while freshers Randhika Welikannage, Tharindu Nipendra, Tharaka Cooray and Richard Michel will also be seen in action.

Both teams hope to offer their fullest support for a peaceful and an enthusiastic big match and looking forward to enhance the friendship between these two teams.

The limited over match will be played on Sunday at the same venue for ‘Aravinda De Silva Challenge trophy’.