Rajans have the edge over Kingswood

Upananda Jayasundera - Kandy Sports Special Corr

The 106th ‘Big Match’ between Dharmaraja College and Kingswood College, Kandy will be played at the Pallekelle international grounds on March 23 and 24, 2012 for the T B Tennakoon Memorial Challenge Shield. On the performances during the season Dharmaraja has the edge over Kingswood this year. Dharmaraja College cricket team is led by second year player Viraj Karaputugala who is the mainstay in the batting order scoring over 450 runs in the season.

Kingswood College 1st XI cricket team. Pictures by Upananda Jayasundera

Dharmaraja College 1st XI cricket team

Aravinda Withanachchi is an outstanding leg spinner who has claimed over 80 wickets this season. Nuwan Karunaratne is the best allrounder who scored over 500 runs and has taken over 50 wickets. Sasith Gunasekera has scored over 500 runs including 2 half centuries this season. Deneth Lanka is another allrounder who has claimed 35 wickets and scored 350 runs. Dharmaraja played 16 matches and recorded outright wins against Panadura Sri Sumangala, Mahinda – Galle, Rahula – Matara and Dharmapala – Pannipitiya The other 12 matches ended in draws. They lost only to St Anthony's, Katugastota.

Kingswood College is led by third year player, Nishitha Weerakoon who has scored over 500 runs including three half centuries. Supun Bandara, the vice captain of the side has scored over 200 runs this season. Chamara Unamboowe is another outstanding player of the side who scored over 200 runs during the season. Lakmal Hettiarachchi is an allrounder who has taken over 200 runs and 25 wickets so far. Kingswood team played 13 matches and recorded outright wins against Wayamba Royal College and P de S Kularatne MMV, Ambalangoda. Lost to Trinity, Kandy and S de S Jayasinghe School, Dehiwela and other nine matches ended in draws.

Dharmaraja College team

Viraj Karuaputugala (captain), Nuwan Karunaratne (vice captain), Sasith Gunasekera, Aravinda Withanachchi, Deneth Lanka, Oshan Samarakoon, Lochana Wijesiri, Sashin Abeykoon, Kavinda Ratnayake, Ramesh Ranasinghe, Chandimal de Silva, Bamandu Wijeratne, Danuka Prabath, Lakshan de Silva, Ruchira Pupulewatte, Jayapadma Tennakoon, Tharusha Weragoda, Deshan Guansinghe, Kavishka Dissanayake, Dimuthu Liyanarachchi.

Kingswood College team:

Nishitha Weerakoon (captain), Supun Bandara (vice captain), Chamara Unamboowa, Dasitha Kandanarachchi, Randika Wijeratne, Dinusha Medawatte, Lakmal Hettiarachchi, Tharindu Gunarathne, Prabath Jayawickrema, Menaka Lankathilake, Kasun Bandara, Tharaka Marasinghe, Tharindu Liyanage, Dananjaya Monaravila, Tharaka Panabokke, Asanka Bandara, Rajitha Gamage, Mahesh Senevirathne, Shanika Weerasinghe, Ruwantha Haturusinghe, Ashen Jayakody, Anuradha Thilakaratne, Shanuka Rathnayake.