Rajapaksa Central and Vijitha Central keen on having a decision this year
Rajapaksa Central College Weeraketiya will host Vijitha Central College Dikwella at the 5th Golden Battle of Ruhuna to be played at the
Praveen Abeysinghe (Captain Vijitha Central)
Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa on April 4 and 5.The previous four
Nalaka Sandaruwan (Captain Rajapaksha Central)
encounters have been drawn and both teams would be looking forward to force a decision at this encounter. Vijitha Central’s Mahela Nambuhewa‘s unbeaten 103 at last year’s encounter at the Uyanwatte Stadium stands the highest individual score by a batsman while Rajapaksa Central’s Charith Sawaththara’s six wicket haul in the third encounter at Sooriyawewa is the highest number of wickets taken in an innings of the series. .
Vijitha Central is led by third year coloursman Praveen Abeysinghe . Praveen is an all-rounder and was named the Man of the Match at last year’s encounter. Praveen bats right hand and bowls right arm off spin. He has third year coloursman Shashik Praveen as his deputy. Fifth year coloursman Tharindu Sampath Yasarathne who led the Vijithians at the 4th Golden Battle is a strength to the team this year. Tharindu is a right handed batsman and bowls right arm off spin.
Gayan Mihiranga. Nigamuni Lahiru Sandaruwan, Amal Udayanga and Sujitha Mihisuru Dissanayake are third year coloursmen. Ushan Avindu, Daham Wenusara, Nalin Madusha, Navod Dilan, Sasindu Thushan and Sasindu Anuranga are second year coloursmen while Janidu Bandara, Hirusha Muthukumarana and Naveen Sandaruwan are the freshers in the side.
Rahula College team: Front row from left – Kalana Hasanga, Harsha Rajapaksha (Captain), Rohana Ariyathilake (Coach), Piyasena Gamage (Master in charge), Colonel Nimal Dissanayaike (Principal), Nihal Abeywickrema (Deputy Principal – sports), Percy Ranaraja (POG), Sahan Hendavitharana (vice captain), Rukshan Gunawardena. Back row from left – Achindu Prabuddha, Chamika Nuwan, Dakshina Sugeeshwara, Yasiru Hewanadugala, Dileepa Jagathsiri, Thamindu Palliyaguru, Dinuka Madushan, Pasan Samarathunge, Piruna Thilak Kumara, Kushan Kavindu, Nimesh Hettiarachchi
The Vijitha Central College team is coached by Chanaka Komasaru who led St Thomas’ College Matara in 2003 and Buddapriya Wickremerathna continues as the master-in-charge for the fifth consecutive year.
Vijitha Central College Team: Front row from left – Praveen Abeysinghe (Captain), Chanaka Komasaru (Coach), Buddapriya Wickremerathne (Master in Charge), Dayarathne Ranaweera (Principal), L G Sujith (POG), Shashik Praveen (Vice Captain). Back row from left – Ushan Avindu, Daham Venusara, Sasindu Thushan, Pasindu Anuranga, Nalin Madusha, Hirusha Muthukumarana, Gayan Nigamuni, Janidu Bandara, Lahiru Sandaruwan, Navod Dilan, Tharindu Yasarathne
Third year coloursman Nalaka Sandaruwan will lead the Rajapaksa Central team at this year’s encounter. Nalaka is a left hand batsman and is the stumper of the side. Yasanga Madusara who is a member of the Hambanthota district under 19 team is his deputy. Yasanga is a third year coloursman.
All-rounder Uditha Vidanapathirana is a third year coloursman who has represented the Hambanthota district team and was the vice captain of last year’s encounter. Sandeepa Akalanka who is a member of the Hambantota District under 15 team is a third year coloursman. Sandeepa scored 75 runs on his debut at the 3rd Golden Battle of Ruhuna played at the MRICG.
Ganishka Asela and Ayesh Maduwantha are third year colorsmen while Thilan Chathumina, Chamika Shehan, Kamal Kalana and Dileesha Shehan are second year coloursmen whose experience will strengthen the team.
Dilan Niresh, Pasan Thathsara, Seneth Dhananjaya, Sandalu Vilasitha and Jinith Malith are all first year coloursmen.
The Rajapaksa Central College team is coached by Asela Sampath while Sarath Kumara Ratnayake is the Master-in-Charge.
Pictures by Priyan de Silva (Matara Sports Correspondent)