Two leading Buddhist schools in Colombo D.S. Senanayake College (DSS) and Mahanama College Colombo will battle in their 18th Battle of the Golds which scheduled to be played today and tomorrow (29-3)at the SSC grounds, commencing at 10 a.m.
The 17 matches that have been played so far only one outright win has been recorded with DSS achieving it in the year 2014 under the leadership of Binura Fernando who is a member of the Sri Lanka T-20 National team.
The two teams are evenly balanced and have recorded four outright wins this season but Mahanama team maintained an unbeaten record while DS’S lost only to St Sebastians Moratuwa comparing their performances both teams are equally balanced and keen tussle is expected.
D.S. Senanayake College squad: (seated from left): Kapila Munasinghe (Trainer), Vajira Abeywickrama (Master in Charge), Wasantha Kaleekotuwa (POG), Malitha Perera, Sampath Weragoda (Principal), Gaviru Senhas (Capt), Upul Nishantha Perera (Deputy Principal), Keerthi Gunaratne (Head Coach), Shanaka Jeewantha (Assit Coach), Ruchira Adhikari (Data Analyser). Standing from left – Labeeb Nuzlie, Sohan Yapa, Dilash Kumaranayake, Randisha Bandaranayake, Pesandu Weerasinghe, Chanul Athale, Sanjula Vaz Gunawardena, Nishal Thambawita, Dehem Nirmal, Akmal Fazly, Chenula Pinsara, Kiran Perera, Dhinal Pathirana, Binula Samarasinghe, Shanal Binushka, Chenuka Peiris, Amad Afdha
DSS led by Gaviru Senhas recording wins against Wesley, St Servatius Matara, St. Anthony’s Kandy and Maliyadeva Kurunegala while Mahanama led by Duvindu Ranatunga recording wins against St Benedict’s, St Thomas Matara, St Anne’s Kurunegala and Maris Stella Negombo. In fact Mahanama skipper Duvindu Ranathunga was a member of the recently concluded National under 19 team for world cup and his experience is more important for Mahanama side.
Mahanama side coached by former Sri Lanka all rounder Ashan Priyanjan who is still playing for CCC but his experience moré vital for Mahanama and all team players are lucky to get service from Priyanjan for the first time this season. Both the teams had a successful stint in the ongoing Under 19 inter-schools two day cricket tournament as they qualified to the quarter finals and Mahanama had the honour of advancing to the semi finals when they recorded a thrilling five wicket win over St Anthony’s Katugastota. Talking about individual performances of the players of both the teams it seems DSS possess a strong batting line up as they have two centurions in the side in Vice Captain Malith Perera who is their top scorer with over 550 runs and Dehem Nirmal who made an unbeaten 204 who has made over 400 runs and apart from the pair the others from whom much will be expected are skipper Senhas who has over 500 runs, Chenul Pinsara over 450 runs, Pesandu Weerasinghe, Randisha Bandaranayake and Chanula Athale.
The DSS bowling will revolve around their top bowler Randisha Bandaranayake and support will be looked forward from Akmal Fazly, Chenuka Peiris, skipper Gaviru and Shanal Biuksha.
The D.S Senanayake College coach former Sri Lankan player experienced Keerthi Gunaratne always guided his team for positive cricket and their intention is very clear to get second victory of the big match series.
The cricket Advisory Committee Chairman former National skipper and Master batsman Aravinda de Silva always give good motivation for the team and he has already pointed out the value of positive cricket.
Mahanama always maintained their fighting spirit and they want to continue this at the big match. They already have shown in the quarter final match against St Anthony’s and they will bank on Inuka Karannagoda, Dulnith Sigera, Gimantha Dissanayake, Rashmika Perera, Eshan Withanage, Koojana Perera and Kavindu Amameth to build up their innings while the bowling will be in the hands of allrounder Inuka Karannagoda Chamika Heenitigala, skipper Duvindu Ranatunga, Gimantha Dissanayake and Anuka Wijewardena. Duvindu Ranathunga couldn’t give his full service to the National under 19 team due to injury but he is fully recovered now and hopes to make a good impression
The two day match will be followed by the limited over encounter which is played for the Aravinda de Silva Challenge Trophy and scheduled to be played on April 21 at the same venue SSC grounds. Mahanama are way ahead having recorded 10 wins to the four by DSS with one no decision and two not being played due to the Covid pandemic and Mahanama has won it for the last six years.
Dhammika Ratnaweera