Royal Panadura has the edge
The 20th edition of the Battle of the Greens, the big match played between two leading schools from Panadura, Royal College and St. John’s College will take place at the Panadura Esplanade on March 16 and 17.
Though the two teams come from completely different leagues the big match is set to give both rivals an even amount of pressure. Royal Panadura, a team going great guns in the Division I schools cricket tournament will no doubt have the advantage againsta team coming from Division III.
But during the past 19 encounters played, 16 have ended in draws indicating the magnitude of competitiveness between both teams. However it was Royal Panadura who managed to break the long standing hoodoo with a massive innings win in 2008, recording the first of the series.
A year later, St. John’s gave their rivals the perfect answer by winning the encounter by innings, levelling the number of wins to 1-all. In 2010 yet again Royal Panadura bounced back to win the game by 8 wickets, taking the overall tally to 2-1 in favour of the most favourite and resounding schools cricket team from the area.
Last year however the big match was not played for reasons better known to the organisers and this year both teams are optimistic of recording wins though the odds are clearly in favour of Royal Panadura.
In just 35 years after introducing cricket Royal Panadura have travelled a successful run in the field of schools cricket to enter the Division I segment. They have performed the extraordinary even without the basic necessities to impress the rest. In the second season in the Division I they have inflicted defeats against top contenders Vidyartha Kandy, Moratu Vidyalaya, Sri Jayewardenepura MV and DS Senanayake.
Last season too they impressed during the inaugural year in Division I, Royal Panadura faired well for a newcomer with three famous wins – against Thurstan, Kingswood and Wesley.
“We have been doing well during the season so far in the top league. Though our big match opponent’s are from the lower division we know their capabilities and we will not take them lightly. It’s a big match and in cricket anything is possible. We are confident of giving them a good competition to pull off a win this year. We have a strong and well experienced set of boys in our camp to counter them,” said Sumith Prasanna, the coach and master-in-charge of Royal Panadura.
Royal Panadura will have the services of seven seniors namely skipper Charith Ruchiranga, vice captain Kavindu Ashan, Asanka Alwis, Madhawa Nimesh, Damindu Ashan, Dulith Gayan and Asitha Fernando who are prominent allrounders. Their batting line up consists of strong contenders like Dumindu Ashan, Madhawa Nimesh, skipper Ruchiranga, Kavindu Ashan, Asanka Alwis, Dulith Gayan and Asitha Fernando who all can bat equally well. They have three strike bowlers in paceman Alwis, off-spinner Kavindu and leftarm spinner Thenuka Dhananjaya who is a first choice turner for encounters. In total the team has a blend of two fast bowlers, four spinners and three part-time bowlers.
St. John’s in contrast has had little exposure unlike their strong op- ponents in the Division III segment. They have played seven matches so far in the tournament and are going great guns with six wins. They played against Mahanama Panadura and were able to score a mammoth 389-5 to record first innings honours. Their winning trend began with a huge innings and 53 runs win against Royal Horana. Their winning habit continued with another massive innings and 139 runs win against St. Mary’s Matugama and recorded another 9wicket win against Wadduwa Central before wrapping up an innings and 57 runs win against Sri Palee Horana to emerge as group winners of the tournament. They advanced to the second round and went on to record wins against Dudley Senanayake MV Tholangamuwa and Kirindiwela Central to progress to the pre-quarterfinal stage, making their chances of gaining a promotion to Division II stronger.
“We have a very good set of youngsters in the side who have been doing a fine job for the team. All in the team can bat and bowl and it will be a good advantage for the team. We have seven allrounders in the side and four full time bowlers. We know our opponent’s are stronger than us, but we have the armoury to give them a good fight. Who knows what will happen,” said Ushantha Gunaratne, the coach of St. John’s.
St. John’s is led by fine all-rounder Sasindu Perera, a left-handed batsman and a left-arm spinner who is performing well for the team. His deputy, Lahiru Sanjaya is another top contributor while opening batsman and wicketkeeper Viraj Jayaranga is another batsman in good form. Others with all-round abilities are Akila Shaminda, Harsha Chandrashan, Tharindu Rusith and Tharindu Vidushan. St. John’s has got two fast bowlers, two medium pacers and five spinners, making them a well equipped team.
Of the big matches played so far, Royal Panadura holds the record for the highest total which is 312 runs recorded in the first innings in 2008. They bowled out St. John’s to 83 in their reply to create the lowest total of the matches as Royal Panadura recorded the first win in 2008. In 2002, left-arm spinner Sanjeewa Roshan of St. John’s captured 9 for 43 in an innings creating the big match record for the highest num- ber of wickets while present Royal Panadura skipper Charith Ruchiranga hammered 105 runs in 2008, becoming the highest scorer of the big matches. Their limited overs match will be played the very next day on March 18 at the same venue. Royal Panadura squad: Charith Ruchiranga ( Captain), Kavindu Ashan (Vice Captain), Asanka Alwis, Dulith Gayan, Asitha Fernando, Damindu Ashan, Akila Lakshan, Asitha Fernando, Thenuka Dhananjaya, Madhawa Nimesh, Ashan Padmakumara, Ashan Vimukthi, Vimukthi Madushan, Lakpriya Dhananjaya, Rusiru Madushanka, Hasitha Fernando, Himesh Ranganath, Chamath Madushan. St. John’s Panadura squad: Sasindu Perera (Captain), Lahiru Sanjaya (Vice Captain), Chinthaka Nayanapriya, Akila Shaminda, Viraj Jayaranga, Chamila Janaka, Tharindu Vidushan, Harsha Chandrashan, Tharindu Rusith, Pamodh Madushanka, Vidura Sapumal, Chanaka Chaturanga, Kasun Ranga, Nadun Dharshana, Rusiru Sanjaya, Thanuja Akalanka, Gihan Anuruddha, Danusha Deshan, Yasiru Navod.