Mahinda's chance to turn tables over Richmond
Text and pix by P.D. de Silva
Comparing the performances at the ongoing Schools Under-19 Division I Cricket Tournament, it is evident that Mahinda College have performed better and are with a wafer thin edge over rivals Richmond College when they meet for the 114th Lovers' Quarrel at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on March 15 and 16.
Hosts Mahinda playing in Group 'A' of the Schools Under- 19 Division I Tournament registered outright wins over Isipathana College and Maris Stella College, lost to St. Benedict's and drew five games to accumulate 114.230 points to finish second in the group. Richmond has won outright against St. Thomas' College Matara and drew seven games to accumulate 107.610 points and end in third spot in Group ' D'. In the playoff games to qualify for the pre- quarter finals of the two- day tournament Mahinda defeated St. Peter's College Colombo while rivals Richmond were eliminated after losing to Prince of Wales College.
The question still remains as to who leads the series with the diehard Richmondites claiming that they have more wins while the Mahindians claim that both schools have won 23 encounters each.
Mahinda's last win was in 2008 while Richmond registered back-to-back wins in 2014 and 2015. As both schools have been producing national level cricketers it is time that the Lovers' Quarrel is played over three days in the future.
Thaveesha Abhishek, who leads the Richmond team to the 114th Lovers' Quarrel on Friday, was a member of the Sri Lanka Under- 19 team that played against the Australian Under- 19s this year. Thaveesha, a 4th year player is a right-hand batsman who has 689 runs to his credit and an excellent fielder.
Adithya Siriwardena is the vice captain of the side. He is also a 4th year player and an all rounder, who is a right hand batsman with 619 runs to his credit, bowls right-arm pace and an agile fielder.
Sandun Mendis is an all round player whose strength is bowling right-arm offspin with 33 victims this season. Sandun was also a member of the Sri Lanka Under- 19 team that played against the Australian Under-19 team this year.
The best player at the 113th Lovers' Quarrel Dilum Sudeera Thilakarathne is an all rounder capturing 70 wickets bowling left- arm spin and notched up 368 runs this season. Dilum would be looking forward to repeating the feat this year.
Vimud Sapnaka is the team's wicketkeeper. He has figured in over 24 dismissals this season and is a dependable righthand batsman. Second year player Amshi de Silva opens the bowling for Richmond and is a key player of the team and is in the making to lead the Richmond XI in years to come. Amshi has captured 23 wickets.
Left-hand batsman Vinuja Kiriella is a second year player and opens the batting for his team. Vinuja bowls right- arm spin. Chamath Dilsara is a second year player who is capable of contributing with bat and ball. Chamath is a righthand batsman and a right-arm spin bowler.
Nimnada Kirindage is a second year player who bowls left- arm spin and a right hand batsman.
Dimuth Sandaruwan, Bhanuka Manohara, Kalpa Nethsara, Kavindu Nirmana, Sanul Sandesh and Achintha Isiwara are freshers who make up the Richmond team.
The Richmond team is coached by Dhammika Sudarshana with the able assistance of Lakmal de Silva. S. R. Nanayakkara is the Prefect of Games at Richmond as well as the Master- inCharge of the team.
The Mahinda team is led by fourth year player Vinura Dulsara who is the wicketkeeper of the side. Vinura is a lefthand batsman and has a seasons best score of 157 against St. Joseph's. He is capable of bowling right-arm spin when the need arises.
Vinura has the able support of vice captain Ashen Kandamby. Ashen is a right-hand batsman and a right-arm spin bowler. He is a fourth year player. The most experienced player to take the field would be fifth year player Hansika Welihinda. Hansika captained the Mahinda team at the 112th Lovers' Quarrel and is the top run getter for the Mahindians this season.
Navod Paranavithana was a member of the Sri Lanka team for the Under-19 Asia Cup held in Bangladesh as well as many other series. He is a left-hand batsman and a prolific run getter. Navod is a fourth year player.
Nipun Malinga is a third year player and was a member of the Sri Lanka Under-19 team. He is an all rounder and is a right-hand batsman and a right-arm pacie. Pasan Pethangoda is a left- arm spinner who is bound to trouble the Richmond batsmen. Pasan is a third year player and a right- hand batsman. Subanu Rajapaksa is a second year player. He is a right-hand batsman and bowls right-arm spin.
Lahiru Bhashana, Kawshitha Kodituwakku, Sandew Induwara, Kushan Madusha, Kave e s h a Malliyawadu, Osindu Kularathne, Dhanuja Induwara, Ranmina Hettiarachchci and Ashen Shamika are freshers who may be given the honour of playing in their maiden big match.
The Mahinda team is coached by Anil Rideegammanagedara and is assisted by Suneth Kudahetti. Y. Nishantha Kumara is the Master-in-Charge