Moratu Vidyalaya - Sri Sumangala clash for 61st time

Dilwin Mendis - Moratuwa Sports Corre

The 61st annual Big Match between Moratu Vidyalaya and Sri Sumangala College will be worked off today and tomorrow at Tyronne Fernando Stadium, Moratua and the 20th limited overs match will be played on March 24 at the same venue. The much awaited T/20 game will not come off due to unavoidable circumstances.

This seris began in 1948 and the two captains being T N Fernando of Sri Sumangala and T L Fernando of Moratu Vidyalaya. There were no encounters for five years due to unknown reasons.

Out of the matches played so far, Sumangalians are leading with nine victories while Vidyalians have won seven. The highest score of 150 runs was recorded by Sumangalian Roshan Wimalasena in 1996. Ranjith Fernando holds the record for Vidyalians with 129 runs in 1976.

This year Moratu Vidyalaya is led by a fifth year coloursman and wicket keeper of the team Ishan Nilaksha Peiris and he bowls occasionally and he bowls off spin. He has scored more than 600 runs. He has toured India with the Development Squad Twice. His deputy will be an all rounder Harsha Devinda Fernando who has captured 74 wickets for the season.

Saminda Maduranga who opens batting with Thilan Kaviska is the reserve wicket keeper, Kaviska is a second year player who has passed the six hundred mark. He turns out for Old Moratu Vidyalians Sports Club in the under 23 tournament. There are six players who are freshers and skipper has to rely on them. The spin department is strengthened by Shanaka Roshan, Shanaka Madushanka, Ushan Tharaka and Nipun Randika while Dashan Sulakshan is an all rounder.