MORATU MV HAVE EDGE OVER SRI SUMANGALA
The cricket crazy Moratuwa town will come alive again as three days of entertainment is on store for two neighbouring schools in the area – Moratu Maha Vidyalaya and Sri Sumangala College, Panadura when they clash in their annual big match scheduled to be played at the De Zoysa Stadium from today.
The two-day big match which is the 67th in the series sees Sri Sumangala in the lead with eight wins to the seven by Moratu Maha Vidyalaya, while the limited over encounter, which is the 27th in the series, has the Sumangalians in the lead with 12 wins to Moratu Maha Vidyalaya’s seven, with two matches ending without decisions and one match not being played.
Sri Sumangala last won the big match in 2007 and they have won the limited over encounter over the last few years while Moratu MV’S last big match win was in 2010 and the limited over win was in 2016.
This year Sri Sumangala will be led by Janindu Inuwara who hails from a family of cricketers and is the son of Saman Kumara who led the Sumangalians in 1981 while Moratu Maha Vidyalaya will be spearheaded by one of the most successful schoolboy cricketer and Sri Lanka youth player Nishan Madushka.
Looking back at the performances of the two sides the Sumangalians have played 13 matches this season and have recorded six outright wins whilst undergoing three outright defeats with the rest ending in draws. Moratu MV on the other hand have played 15 matches and have recorded four outright wins against Lumbini Maha Vidyalaya, Maris Stella College, St Mary’s College Kegalle and Gurukula Maha Vidyalaya Kelaniya.
Sri Sumangala skipper Janindu will be the mainstay of the sides’ batting and he is the top scorer of the side having scored 818 runs inclusive of two tons and five half tons with a best of 153 against Taxila Central, Horana and no doubt the Sumangalians will be banking on him to give the others confidence.
Apart from him the Sumangalians will pin their hopes on Mihiranga Fernando (464), Tharana de Silva (458), Shanadith Fernando (458) and Imesh Gampola (384) to help them put up a challenging score.
The bowling will be spearheaded by Anuka Jayasinghe who is the top wicket-taker of the side with 75 wickets inclusive of four fivewicket hauls and support will be looked forward from Charuka Jayatileke, skipper Janindu and Vishwa Lahiru to curtail the opponents.
Moratu MV skipper Nishan will be the cynosure of all eyes and he has the honour of reaching the 1,000 runs milestone having scored 1,386 runs that includes six tons and five half tons with a best score of 172 against home-town rivals Prince of Wales College. So he is going to be the player that the Sumangalians will have to keep an eye on.
The other three players from whom much will be expected to bolster the scoreboard are Madushan Dilakshana (368), Chamalka Pushpakumara (329) and deputy skipper Nadith Mishendra (326).
Eran Hansamal has been their most successful bowler and the fresher has been their top wicket-taker with 71 wickets to his credit which includes five fivewicket hauls so he will be their main striker with support from Vishwa Didulana (39) and Nadith Mishendra (35).
However, though the two teams are evenly balanced the scale is in favour of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya, who will be seeking to win both, to make the series wins equal while Sri Sumangala will be looking forward to break the 11-year hoodoo in the big match and retain the limited over encounter trophy.