Devans - Annites meet in Battle of the Rocks

Fransis Warnakulasooriya - Pothuhera Special

Maliyadeva College with two out right wins and St. Anne’s having four out rights, will meet after three years in their 30th big match, the ‘Battle of the rocks’ which is to be worked off today and tomorrow at picturesque Welagedara Stadium, Kurunegala commencing 9.00 a.m both days. The 18th limited over game will be played on March 10 at the same venue starting at 10.30 a.m.

This year has great significance for Maliyadeva. The 125th anniversary of Maliyadeva falls on this year. The management, old boys Association and the well-wishes have already taken steps to mark this occasion in a grand scale.

The chief guest of the big match will be the Cooperative and Internal Trade Minister Jonston Fernando, an old boy of St. Anne's College while the chief guest of the one day game will be Sri Lanka Army Chief of Staff Major General Daya Ratnayaka who is also the Sri Lanka Athletic Association President, an old boy of Maliyadeva.

Maliyadeva OBA organizing the big match this year has already made arrangements to conduct the event in a disciplinary manner to prove long-standing brotherhood of two schools.

The two leading schools in the NW Province rendered tremendous service to the national cricket arenas and produced players such as Ranjith Madunasinghe, Erick Upashantha, Rangana Heath (Devans), Lanka De Silva (Annites). In addition both schools have produced 1st class cricketers such as Jeewantha Kulathunga, Sameera De Soysa, Shalika Karunanayake (Devans), Sanjaka Wijemanna and S. Jayaman (Annites).

The Battle of the Rocks big match was started in 1950 and the limited overs series started in 1992. So far, 17 limited over matches have been played so far and 27 big matches have been played.

Maliyadeva has won two big matches while St. Anne’s are still in search of their luck. All others ended in no decisions. Ten limited over matches, including that of last year, were won by Maliyadeva, eight matches won by Annites.

The 30th encounter will be sponsored by E-soft while one day will be sponsored by Galukulanka Export Company. Co-sponsored are Dialog GSM, Nestle, Cocacola, Ceylon Agro Industries. The media sponsor is ‘V’ Fm radio.

Maliyadeva College

Right hand batsman and right arm fast bowler, fifth year player Thineth Manishan leads the Maliyadeva side. He has scored more than 200 runs so far and captured 12 wickets. Fourth year player Rasanjana Jayarathna right arm off spinner captured 20 wickets and scored more than 300 runs is the vice Captain of the side.

Third year player Kusal D. Silva, the experienced right arm off spinner adds extra energy to the team, having captured 40 wickets so far and scored over 400 runs.

His best performance was recorded at the match against Richmond College, Galle with 11 wickets. Third year player Chandima Bandara, Sarindra Dasanayaka, Gayan Jayantha and Minoth Bhanuka also strengthen the Devans team. Chamod Rajapaksha, Keshan Wijerathna, Tharuka Rajaguru, Charith Rathnayaka, Navin Pieris, Prabash Keppitipola, Hashan Weerathunga are the rest of the second year players who add more confidence to the team.

St. Anne’s College

All rounder and third year player Vikum Darshana leads the St. Anne’s team this year. The left hand attacking batsman has scored over 500 runs with a top score of 67 runs against St. Maris, Kegalle.

Amith Jayarathna, third year opening batsman is the vice captain. He has scored over 400 runs. He adds extra confidence to St. Anne’s.

Gayus Kumarasinghe, third year player adds extra energy to the St. Anne’s team as a talented left arm spinner having taken 35 wickets this season.

Fast hitting batsman Malshan Perera, a third year player has scored 350 runs in this season.

Janith Perera an elegant stroke maker and opener of the team has scored 550 runs for this season including four half centuries. Shehan Coorey and Mohamed Afshal are third year players who have done well for the team.

Asitha Wickramage, Udesh Hathurusinghe, Kavinda Kotuwegedara, Vanith Wanninayaka, Himal Jananajith, Tharindra Wijesinghe, Vimukthi Bandara, Missaka Chathuranga, Randeera Krishan and Mahesh Srimal all are freshers hope to record a big victory against there rivals.