Devans, Annites clash in battle of the Rocks

Fransis WARNAKULASOORIYA - Pothuhera Speicial Corr

The two cricketing giants in the North Western Province, Maliyadeva College and St Anne's College will vie for honours when their 17th Battle of the Rocks annual limited overs cricket encounter for Janaka Bogollagama Memorial Challenge Trophy begins today at the picturesque Welagedara Stadium.

The two teams are meeting each other after three years.

The last match was played in 2009 when St. Anne's College won by 11 runs according to the parabola system when the match was called off due to unruly behavior of the spectators.

The two-day match will not be played this season but both two-day and one-day games will be played from next year.

The fifth year player who has scored over 800 runs this season, Nimna Karunarathne will lead the Devans while fourth year player Leo Fransisco acts as his deputy. In the two day matches this season, Maliyadeva team has recorded two outright wins out of 16 played and has recorded seven first innings wins, losing seven matches.

St. Anne's college will be led by middle-order batsman Evan Fernando with Vikum Darshana as his deputy.

St. Anne's have scored one outright victory after playing 13 matches this season.