MAHANAMA HAS THE EDGE OVER DSS
11th Battle of the Golds
Mahanama College Colombo will come out as favourites in their annual 11th Battle of the Gold’s big match against D.S. Senanayake College which is scheduled to be played today and tomorrow at the P. Sara Stadium.
The traditional encounter between the two leading schools in Colombo began in 2007 and from the ten matches that have been played so far only DSS has been able to record a win which they achieved in the year 2014 under the leadership of Binura Fernando.
Mahanama led by the prolific batsman Malindu Maduranga has had a successful season this year having played 12 matches and has recorded three outright wins and they ended up as runner-up in their group and also qualified to the pre-quarter finals of the Under 19 tournament.
Malindu has been their top scorer this season having made over 950 runs that includes five tons and three half tons with a best score of 184 runs. No doubt much will be expected from him.
Apart from Malindu the Mahanama side posses players in the caliber of all-rounder Hashan Nileeka who has scored over 550 runs and has been in the wickets, deputy skipper Kavindu Vilochana (500runs) who has scored a ton and a young player in Pawan Ratnayake from whom much will be expected.
The bowling will revolve around their top wicket taker and left arm spinner Ashan Sandeepa who has taken over 55 wickets with support expected from Hashan Nileeka.
On the other hand DSS led by Torin Pitigala who is the most experienced player of the side, have played 14 matches this season and have recorded two outright wins and six first inning wins.
Skipper Torin has not been available for most part of the season due to an injury but the cynosure of all eyes will be his deputy Shehzad Ameen who has been in the runs this season.
Shehzad has scored over 600 runs and along with Vihan Gunasekera who too has scored over 600 runs, Dasun Perera (550 runs), Shashika Lahiru (500 runs) and Muditha Lakshan (425 runs) will be the backbone of the DSS batting.
The bowling will be spearheaded by left arm spinner Muditha Lakshan who has over 65 wickets to his credit and along with Vihan Gunasekera who has taken over 45 wickets. He will have to combine with the others to restrict their opponents.
So even though Mahanama is coming into the game as favourites and looking forward to chalk up their first win of the series they cannot afford to take their opponents lightly due to the fact that the underdogs have come on top in traditional or big matches that have been played earlier.