Thread: Battle of the Golds - DS VS MAHANAMA

Following a successful launch of the inaugural cricket match, the ‘Battle of the Golds’ between D.S. Senanayake College and Mahanama College last year the second edition in the series will be played on March 28 and 29 at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The first encounter was a great success with both schools showing tremendous enthusiasm thanks to the tremendous efforts of the cricket committees and school authorities.

Though this encounter is in its infancy there is every reason to believe it will be a success as the schools share close ties and similar traditions. D.S. Senanayake and Mahanama are leading Buddhist schools with a rich educational and sporting history. Both schools have produced excellent cricketers with some representing the national team.

Mahanama College had the distinction of producing a cricketer of the calibre of Lalithamana Fernando in the early 1980s who represented Sri Lanka in the ‘Nehru Cup’ under skipper Dulip Mendis. The next Mahanama player to reach the top was Vipula Sittamige who played for the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team in 1989. Sittamige is currently in charge of Mahanama cricket.

D.S. Senanayake College has the honour of producing Aravinda de Silva, the most talked about Sri Lanka cricketer even after his retirement from international cricket. Aravinda an illustrious all-rounder is one of the greatest batsmen that Sri Lanka has ever seen. After Aravinda another great DS cricketer was Hashan Tillakaratne a former captain of the Sri Lanka test team on whom the Marylebone Cricket Club bestowed the great honour of life membership. The others who excelled were Pubudu Dasanayake, Pulasthi Guneratne, Naveed Nawaz, Kosala Kuruppuarachchi, Malintha Gajanayake and Kanchana Gunawardena. The present coach of DS, Sampath Perera, has represented Sri Lanka ‘A’ in 1998.

Comparing the performances in the inter-school cricket tournament, DS holds the upper hand in the ‘Big’ match. They possess quality bowlers and versatile batsmen. Naveen Kavikara, a specialist leg-spinner, represented the U-19 Sri Lanka team in the recent youth World Cup held in Malaysia. In the 16-man squad 14 players are seniors possessing very good experience. The side is lead by Dimuthu Samarakkody and Gayashan Weerasekara acts as his deputy. Almost all the players are specialised in their respective departments. After playing 14 matches this season DS won one against Isipathana while drawing the rest.

Coach Perera who captained DS in 1993/94 has done a lot to improve the players’ techniques in all departments of the game and helped to uplift the school’s cricket standard. He has a friendly nature and is close to his charges. He feels his side will have the better of the exchanges at the match.“I have a very balanced and talented side. This season was so fruitful thanks to the player’s eagerness for the game. We have very talented players like Isuru Udana, Naveen Kavikara and Charith Jayampathy who are able to create upsets in bowling. I feel the encounter will be decided by the bowlers,� said Perera.

Mahanama has played 11 matches and won 3 against St. Servatius, Matara, Devananda, Ambalangoda and Sri Jayawardenapura MV. The other 8 matches ended in draws. Though possessing a better winning record than their rivals, their performances are not as great in comparison. The squad has 9 senior players while 8 are freshers. The team consists of many junior cricketers and should be a strong side in years to come. The team is captained by Anura Prasad Dias who is the stumper of the side while Ishan Abeysekara is his deputy. Mahanama look to be the underdogs for the encounter but a fight back cannot be ruled out.

Vipula Sittamige, an old boy of Mahanama, still holds the record for the highest scorer of the season with 1253 runs in 1985. Before taking over Mahanama three years ago he served successfully for 10 long years as Ananda coach. With his vast experience in cricket as a player and a coach he feels that though the upper hand is held by DS, Mahanama can create an upset in a match of this nature.“I have got a very young side this year. There are only five senior players from the last year’s team.

But we have a challenging side. I have taken the ‘Big’ match idea out of my players’ heads and told them to take it as just another ordinary game. As usual all are in high spirits. We have a very strong bowling line-up which will be our strength. Let’s hope we can do our best and win,� said Sittamige.

The encounter will be a contest between the bowlers as both schools are strong in that department. DS seems to have a slightly stronger batting line-up than their rivals Mahanama.

It would be a keen tussle for supremacy as their inaugural ‘trial big match’ ended in a draw last year. Both teams hope to build up a strong relationship and develop traditions which will lead to a successful series which could compare with the other ‘Big’ matches in time to come.

[img width=400 height=191]http://www.nation.lk/2008/03/23/sp7pic1.jpg[/img]

Seated L-R : Malinda Marasinghe, Lahiru Weragala, Isuru Udana, Dimuthu Samarakkody (C), Gayashan Weerasekara (VC), Hasitha Dharshana, Naveen Kavikara. (Standing L-R) : Nipuna Mudalige, Thivanka Anuruddha, Malshan Gunasinghe, Kasun Suriyaarachchi, Charitha Jayampathy, Harinda Udugamawithana, Nadun Pathirana, Vasuki Watakepatha, Dharhana Jayasundara, Nadeesha Jayakody

[img width=400 height=191]http://www.nation.lk/2008/03/23/sp7pic2.jpg[/img]

Seated L-R: Sajith Ruberu, Prabath Dhananjaya, Madhushanka Sandaruwan, Ishan Abeysekara (VC), Anura Prasad Dias (C), Buddhi Sarinda, Vinod Kaluarachchi. (Standing L-R) : Lahiru Deshan, Chathura Shanuka, Sohan Samarasuriya, Sachith Nissanka, Dhanushka Gunathilake, Tharindu Madhushanka, Indrajith Sanjeewa, Madhuranga Nanayakkara, Dhananjaya Madhuranga, Dilesh Buddhika, Madhuka Dharmawardena.