Kingswood favoured but Dharmaraja can upset

Nikeshala Nanayakkara (captain-Kingswood

Kavindu Gunaratne (captain-Dharmaraja)

By Shamseer Jaleel

The 119th edition of the Battle of the Maroons Big Match between Dharmaraja College and Kingswood College will be played from March 20 to 22 at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy. 

In the overall tally, Dharmaraja holds the advantage with 36 victories while Kingswood popularly known as the lads from Randles Hill have recorded 19 wins. 

Kingswood produced an impressive all-round bowling performance this season, with several players stepping up to deliver match-winning contributions. The bowling unit has been the backbone of the team’s success, consistently troubling opposition batsmen throughout the campaign with Kenula Pehilianga being almost unplayable.

Kingswood played in 10 matches won three against St. Sylvester’s, Kalutara Vidyalaya and Panadura Royal while drawing five games and losing to Taxila and Dharmasoka.

The Randles Hills outfit is led by Nikeshala Nanayakkara with Aadhil Sherif been the deputy and both in their fifth year. Three players represented the Sri Lanka youth team in Kavija Gamage, Kenula Pihilianga and Chanul Kodituwakku. 

Kavija was the vice captain of the Sri Lanka Under 19 squad at the ICC World Cup and Asia Cup while Kenula represented Sri Lanka against Bangladesh along with Kodituwakku.

Aadhil scored over 600 runs with one century and four half tons. His magnificent 147 was against Matara Rahula. Kavija was on national duties missed a majority of the matches but scored a magnificent unbeaten 216 against Pannipitiya Dharmapala. Skipper Nanayakkara has scored over 400 runs.

Leading the bowling is left-arm orthodox spinner Kenula Pihilianga, who enjoyed a remarkable season with over 50 wickets. His standout performance came against Kalutara Vidyalaya where he recorded a superb match bag of 10 for 54, underlining his ability to dominate with accuracy and control. He is a national youth player representing the country and seen as the next left arm leggie to come in to national level very soon.

Supporting him strongly is off-spinner Kavija Gamage, who captured over 30 wickets during the season. Another valuable contributor was Dominsara Pieris, also an off-spinner, who accounted for more than 25 wickets. 

Behind the stumps, wicketkeeper Nadeesha Bandaranayake had an outstanding season with over 25 dismissals, displaying sharp reflexes and safe hands. 

Their head coach is Susantha Rajapakse.

For Dharmaraja, Shashith Bandara scored over 400 runs while Kashyapa Dissanayake and Tharindu Warnakulage scored over 300 runs. In bowling Shashith Bandara yook 33 wickets with the best of 7 for 51.

The Rajans played 11 matches this season winning on first innings against Moratuwa Vidyalaya, Vidyartha, St. Thomas’ College Matara and St. Anthony’s Wattala Antonians. They lost to Devapathiraja and St Benedict’s. They are coached by Senaka Dissanayake.

Kingswood College: 

Nikeshala Nanayakkara (captain), Aadil Sherif, Kavija Gamage, Kenula Pihilianga, Yosath Abeykoon, Chanul Kodituwakku, Manula Wijethunga, Nadeesha Bandaranayake
Pamuditha Bandara, Eshan Ayodhya, Dominsara Pieris, Umantha Kithsiri, Dinidu Sayuranga, Saniru Dahanayake
Kanishka Dahanayake, Thushan Bandara,   Gamindu Wickramasinghe, Adeesha Nimnada, Jananu Rodrigo and Movindu Senanayake

Dharmaraja College:

Kavindu Gunaratne (captain), Tharindu Warnakulage, Kashyapa Dissanayake, Sumeda Prasad, Omesh Ekanayake,  Keshana Gunawardane, Gavesh Poorna, Jayodya Kadiga, Malisha Gunasekara, Chanuka Lakshan, Chanuth Jayasinghearachchi, Mandil Gunawardane, Shashith Bandara, Methsilu Bandara, Thevindu Herath, Onitha Vithanage, Isuru Samarathunga, Lahiru Nilwakke, Dineth Abeyrathne and Thinulaka Rajapakse.