Dharmapala out to give another giant killing display today

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Former champions Dharmapala MV Pannipitiya will be hoping to produce another giant killing performance when they confront Royal College in a key Munchee inter-school under 19 knock out limited overs cricket tournament quarterfinal match at the CCC ground in Maitland Crescent today.

Dharmapala MV who came into the limelight following their stunning victory over Ananda College in the 1986 final have made steady progress as they look to make their entry into the semi-finals.

Dharmapala MV have already knocked out the more fancied St. Joseph’s College team with a 26 run triumph in the pre quarter-finals worked off on their home grounds at Pannipitiya.

However they went through some anxious moments in their first round fixture before pulling off an exciting one wicket victory against Carey College. In the two day tournament Dharmapala MV had an excellent season where they were able to register four outright victories while competing in group ‘D’.

Royal College too will take the field while brimming with confidence following their convincing victory against Maris Stella College Negombo in the pre quarter-finals worked off on their home grounds at Reid Avenue last week.

In addition they had a very good outing in the inaugural Twenty20 encounter where they did well to bundle out their traditional rivals S. Thomas’ College for 107 runs before bad weather prevented them from knocking over the required runs at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium on Saturday.

But this time they are certain to face an acid test from a determined Dharmapala side which is packed with all spin attack comprising of Dilrukshan Jayasundera, Hasitha Wickremasinghe and Hasitha Nirmal. The trio has been the key to their success this season with skipper and opening batsman Nipun Pavithra and middle order batsman Rasitha Gamage doing the bulk of the scoring throughout the season.

Royal too have rallied around through their spinners with Maneesha Thantrigoda, Ramitha Rambukwella, and Charutha Rajaratne set to play a major role in their attempt to reach the semi-finals.

Trinity-Mahinda clash

Meanwhile another keen contest is on the cards when Trinity College Kandy take on Mahinda College Galle in their quarter-final fixture at the Moors SC ground in Braybrooke Place today. The Trinitians have overcome a tough pre quarter-final hurdle where they first figured in a tie and then had the better of Isipatana College in the replay match on a superior run rate at Asgiriya a couple of days ago.

Trinity College will be banking heavily on their three pronged spin attack comprising of Sri Lanka youth player Mohamed Jalil, Akila Jayasundera and Ameer Anaz to take them closer towards the title.

However the conditions are likely to help the batsmen and Mahinda College will certainly have the edge here with a strong batting line up which will be spearheaded by two crack Sri Lanka Under 19 players Denuwan Rajakaruna and Rumesh Buddhika.

The other two quarter-finals will be worked off on Tuesday with Nalanda College up against Richmond College at Braybrooke Place and Prince of Wales College Moratuwa scheduled to meet D. S. Senanayake at Maitland Crescent.

The two semi-finals will be worked off on April 1 and 2 respectively and the final scheduled for April 4 with all matches at Maitland Crescent.