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Dharmaraja more dominant
By Aubrey Kuruppu
Kandy's oldest Big Match - Dharmaraja versus Kingswood - enters its 98th year when the teams confront each other on the 26th and 27th at Asgiriya. For the record, the Rajans lead the series 31 to 19 with 47 games drawn. The Lake View School last won in 1981 under Janaka Mendis. As for the school from Randles Hill, they have got' to go back even further to the days of Maurice Fernando in 1958.

The Rajans led by all rounder Mahes Weerasuriya have the better record. They beat Dharmapala outright and won 9 games on first innings. They blotted their copybook with a bad loss to Maliyadeva. Kingswood also beat Dharmapala outright and won five games on first innings. But the team led by Samudu Wijesinghe has not lost outright.

Mahes Weerasuriya has scored over 500 runs with a century and has captured nearly 30 wickets with his off cutters. He is probably the leading all rounder of the side. The vice captain Chandratilleke, a good stroke - player, has not really prospered this season. He is also the stumper of the side.

Left arm spinner Amal Ekanayake is the king-pin among the Rajan bowlers. He is a useful batsman, too. Dashing Chamara Kapugedera is the stand - out batsman in the side. He has passed the 900 run mark, scoring 156 (Royal) 101 (Sri Sumangala) 95 (Dharmasoka) 87 (Ananda) 79 (Maliyadeva) 75 (Vidyartha) and twin fifties against Mahinda. Kapugedera also bowls medium pace and can keep at a pinch.

Niroshan Perera with over 400 runs and over 35 wickets is the leading all rounder. However he hasn't been as successful as he was last year. Runs can be expected from him. The only century-maker of the side is Indika Senaratne who reached the land-mark against Wesley. Having scored over 800 runs, he is an obvious target for the Rajan bowlers.

Damintha Dahanaike who crossed the fifty mark on five occasions is another consistent scorer. Stumper Minimuthu Dissanaike performs well in front of the stumps, too. Talented Asiri Amerasinghe, a stubborn bat and a right arm leggie is the forgotten man of the side. Kingswood pace attack is in the hands of the experienced Ekanayake and new-comer Pulastha Ratnapala. The latter has taken around 25 wickets. In addition to spinners Perera and Amerasinghe, Kingsqwood has Dahanaike's off spinners and Samarakoon's medium pace to complete the line up.

Teams:
Dharmaraja: Mahes Weerasuriya (Capt.), Jayampathi Chandratilleke, Amal Ekanayake, Chamara Kapugedera, Asanka Samarakoon, Gayan Wijetilleke, Gayan Nadunge, Upesh Wijesiri, Dhanushka Mitipolaarachchi, Chathura Monarawila, Rukshan Sooriyaarachchi, Chathura Bandara, Anusha Ranaraja, Channa Nadunge, Thilanka Kohonna.

Kingswood: Samudu Wijesinghe (Capt.), Gihan Ekanayake, Hirantha Pallegedera, Asiri Amerasinghe, Niroshan Perera, Minimuthu Dissanaike, Chaturanga Samarakoon, Damintha Dahanaike, Heshan Rajakaruna, Pulastha Ratnapala, Indika Seneratne, Sapumal Marasinghe, Mahesh Dhammmika, Kasun Amerasinghe.

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