Panadura’s 59th battle on April 29-30:

Sumangala look for tenth win

YASARATNE GAMAGE and DILWIN MENDIS

The two Buddhists schools in the Western Coastal belt of the island, Sri Sumangala College, Panadura and Moratu Vidyalaya will play their the annual Big Match on April 29 and 30 at Panadura Esplanade. This series was inaugurated way back in 1934 but the game was played from 1954 to 1957.

The Highest total fro the series was recorded by Moratu Vidyalaya was 357/9 in 2007, while the best recorded by the Sumangala Vidyalaya was 354/7.

Sumangala Vidyalaya’s Roshan Wimalasena holds the record for the highest individual score with 150 runs which was achieved in 1996. Vidyalians highest scorer being Ranjith Fernando wit 129 made in the year 1976.

This year the match hosted by Sumangala College has received sponsorship from Supermax and Elephant House.

This year’s big match the 59th episode of the series. Sri Sumangala has won 9 matches and their rivals are with only two matches short behind their rivals while the other 42 games have ended in draws.

During the season 2010-2011 Sri Sumangala has won three matches whereas Moratu Vidyalaya has gained only two victories.

Opening bowlers the captain of Sri Sumangala, Vimukthi Kaushal and Anju Tharaka will go flat out to gain the maximum to record their tenth victory in the series. Their batting line up is strengthened by Aruna Dharmasena, Thameera Harshan and Madhava Fonseka.

Anurudda Kalhara, Sri Lanka under 19 poolist Sanka Ramesh are the star players for Moratuwa Vidyalaya and their captain Avishka expect them to deliver the goods give their opponents a big challenge. Wicket keeper Avishka Peris leads the team with Sujeewa Liyanage as his deputy.