Spinners will dominate in Bandarawela

Pix and text by Sujitha Miranda in Bandarawela

Foremost Big Match in the Uva Province, the 15th Golden Battle of Uva, between Bandarawela Central College and St. Joseph’s College Bandarawela,will be held on March 15 and 16, at the Bandarawela Municipal Council ground.

The inaugural Big Match between these two teams was in 1967 and was interrupted midway due to various challenges. The new phase began in 2011. This year, Bandarawela Central College are the hosts, while Singer Sri Lanka is the main sponsor.

Both teams are a blend of experienced players and freshers. The teams have shown great promise in their run-up matches and past tournaments.

The Josephian team has four off- spinners, a leg- spinner and three fast bowlers. The captain A.M. Pasan Hirudika is the most experienced player in the team as a 5th-year Coloursman. Their Coach is G. Nalanda, the Prefect of Games is Nimal Karunasena and the Master-in-Charge is D.A. Sumathipala.

Bandarawela Central is packed with five off- spinners and six fast bowlers. Captain of the team W.M. Ruchira Ayodya is the most experienced as a 5th-year Coloursman. The Coach, Dinusha Jayasanka, with Shantha Bandara as Prefect of Games (PoG) and Amith Chathuranga as Master-inCharge (MIC) have trained the team well to be a credit to the school.

Josephians lead the series 3-2, against the Centralians while nine matches have ended in draws.

Seated (From left): R.M. Malintha Lakshan (VC), D.M. Leshan Dhiluksha, G. Nalanda (Coach), R.M Nimal Karunasena (POG), R.M.D. Somarathna (Principal), D.A Sumathipala (MIC), H.M. Pasan Hirudika (Captain), H.A. Kaushan SasankaStanding (from left): Sithija Chamidu, J.M. Randula Roshan, J.M. Lakshitha Thamal, M. Malith Thilanka, K. Chamidu Hashen, A.M .Harindu Ushan, W.M. Vimukthi Sithupawan, D.M. Ruchira Dilshan, J.M. Malitha Madeewa, Uthpala Lankathilaka, A.M. Gayan Buddika