Dharmaraja favoured to repeat last year’s triumph over Kingswood
Dharmaraja, who have performed impressively this season (especially during the latter part of it) are odds on favourites to repeat last year’s triumph and beat a weak Kingswood side in their 106th Big Match Scheduled for the 23rd and 24th at the Pallekele International Stadium.
The Rajans started the season under the captaincy of Sri Lanka under-19 player Sadun Weerakkody who is no longer a member of the team. The reigns were handed over to Viraj Karaputugala who, like Micheal Clarke, seems to thrive on responsibility. Scores of 89 (Royal) 79 (Zahira) and 86 (D.S. Senanayake) show that he gets going in tough situations. A right hander who occupies the number three spot, Karaputugala will be keen to make his last Big Match a memorable one.
Fast medium opening bowler Nuwan Karunaratne whose best figures are 9-52 (Sri Sumangala Panadura) missed an all ten by a whisker. That performance apart, Karunaratne has failed to blast out the opposition. That is probably due to the fact that the Rajans lay emphasis on the spin department. Strongly-built Karunaratne has several useful scores to his credit.
All rounder Deneth Lanka is another key player for the lake view side. A consistent wicket taker within his off spin, Lanka had a match -bag of 11 for 66 against Dharmapala. Five for eighty (DS Senanayake) and four for thirty two (Ananda) were also good efforts. A more than useful batsman he scored 96 (Sri Sumangala) and 50 (Zahira).
Tall, lanky opening bat Sasith Gunasekera’s talent is not reflected in his performances. Half centuries against Vidyartha, Nalanda and DS (53 not out, 52 and 63 respectively) were merely appetizers. All Rajanas are hopeful that he’ll go for a big knock against Kingswood.
The outstanding bowler for Dharmaraja has been left arm leg spinner Aravinda Vithanarachchi. He is currently approaching the there figure mark. He has seven five wicket bags and match figures of 10 for 132 against Zahira. A good left armer. Vithanarachchi will be hoping to lead his team to their second win in two outings against their rivals.
Kavinda Rathnayake made an unbeaten 50 against Royal and his chipped in more often than not. Romesh Ranasinghe is a competent keeper.
Lakshan de Silva, another left arm spinner, is also an important member of the bowling unit. Figures of 5-30 (Trinity) and 4/66 (Dharmasoka) are testimony to his effectiveness. Dhanuka Prabath and Ruchira Puplewatte complete the successful Dharmaraja attack.
The Rajans beat Sri Sumangala and Dharmapala by an innings and Mahinda by nine wickets. They lost by six wickets to the Anthonians but this is cancelled out by a superb performance against Trinity who edged them for first innings honours by one run. Ananda Wijesekera, their long-standing coach, captained the team in 1972. Sarath Ekenayake, the MIC, is a constant presence.
The last season was disastrous, but this time under the guidance of a combative coach (H.N.T. Gamage) Kingswood have improved their performance.
However, their main concern will be the lack of big run-getters. Skipper Nishita Weerakoon, a left-hander and number three bat is the leading run-getter. He made 64 against Wayamba Royal and, in addition, he has some sores in the thirties and forties. Weerakoon has patience aplenty and doesn’t give his wicket away easi- ly. He is also the stumper of the side.
Nuwan Unambuwe is the leading all rounder. An aggressive left hander, he also bowls right arm leg spin. He has impressive figures of 5-60 and 4-11 besides a couple of forties.
Kingswood have a number of left-handers. One of the better ones is Tharindu Liyanage who bats up the order. As an off spinner, he has been among the wickets. He was particularly devastating against Wayamba Royal within figures of 6-23 (and 8-46 in the match).
Dasitha Kandanarachchi top scored within 68 against St. Xaviers. He is one of the more productive players in the side. Right hander Randika Wijeratne opens the batting. He has scored in the forties thrice. Supun Bandara has done well with bat and ball. His best figures are 4-28 (President’s College). Prabath Jayawickrema is the quickest bowler in the tem. He opens the attack with Dinusha Medawatte, a second year player. Lakmal Hettiarachchi, also a second year player, is a promising all rounder. He should do better with more bowling opportunities. Tharindu Gunaratne bats at six and sends down right arm leg spin.
Kingswood’s bowlers might be able to contain the fairly strong Rajan batting line up. But the batting is a different matter. No batsman has scored a hundred this season. The chances are that they will struggle against the Rajan Spinners, even as they did last year. Sunil Herath, the long-standing MIC, is quite examples. For the record, Dharmaraja have won on 38 occasions, while Kingswood have 19 wins.
The teams: Kingswood (From): Nishita Weerakoon (Capt), Nuwan Unambuwe, Lakmal Hettarachchi, Thanindu Liyanage, Supun Bandara, Tharindu Gunaratne, Dinusha Medawatte, Prabath Jayawickrema, Dasitha Kandanarachchi, Kasun Bandara, Tharaka Marasinghe, Menaka Lankatilleka, Rajitha Gamage, Mahes Seneviratne, Dhananjaya Monarawila.
Dharmaraja (From): Viraj Karaputugala (Capt), Nuwan Karunaratne, Deneth Lanka, Aravinda Vithanarachchi, Sasith Gunasekera, Kavinda Ratnayake, Ramesh Ranasinghe, Dhanuka Prabath, Lakshan de Silva, Lochana Wijayasiri, Chandimal de Silva, Ruchira Pupulewatte, Dishan Gunasinghe, Lasitha Weeraratne, Akila Dissanaike.