Experience vs Talent when Mahanama Navodya take on Wadduwa Central
The Panadura Esplanade will be in a different atmosphere when Mahanama Navodya College, Panadura girls meet Wadduwa Central School girls in their inaugu- ral Big Match on February 16 commencing at 10.00 a.m. In this full day’s match it will be a battle between experience and talent where Mahanama with three years back ground lock horns with Wadduwa Central with just over a year’s experience. But the day’s play is expected to be dominated by spinners as both sides boast of a high quality spin attacks. Hiruni Sachitra (Right arm leg-spin and googly), Piumi Rashmika and Dedunu Apsara (Right arm off-spin) from Mahanama while Wadduwa Central skipper Hashini Sawindya (Right arm off-spin) and Tharushi Sanjana (Left arm orthodox leg-spin) will steal the limelight of the match by keeping the batters of their opponent sides in check and make run making difficult.
According to the coach of Mahanama A.H. Ujitha Eranga a former cricketer of the school is full of confidence that his side with five district players to have the edge over Wadduwa lasses with three years playing experience behind them. An allround side comprising of five recognised batters with a three pronged pace attack supported by an off spin-leg spin combination is sure to make the Wadduwa girls uncomfortable in all departments of the game.
Danushka Ranmuthu, the coach of Wadduwa Central too is confident that his team though they are less in experience may create an upset in this inaugural big encounter. He banks his hopes on the spin attack in running through any strong batting line. With a batting line including five batters who are capable of scoring runs freely will give the bowling attack of three right arm medium pacies and the spinners a total to bowl at.
As both teams played in the recently concluded Singer Under 19 All Island Cricket Championship. An absorbing day’s cricket will be on the card at this inaugural girls cricket encounter. – Lakshman Ranasinghe; Pix Ranjith Perera and M.D. Nissanka