With both teams having won four matches each this season it would be difficult to predict who will hold the upper hand in the 69th ‘Battle of the Golds’ big match cricket encounter between Prince of Wales College and St. Sebastian’s College that will be worked off on March 15 and 16 at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa.
This will be followed by the 34th limited overs match to be held on March 17 at the same venue.
Prince of Wales Old Boys Association has undertaken to organize the match this year and the chief guest for both these encounters will be the rector of St. Sebastian’s College Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi.
This year the Cambrians are captained by third year coloursman and all rounder Suwath Mendis while his deputy is Prince Fernando.
St. Sebastian’s College will be led by Sri Lanka under-19 player and all rounder Nuwanidu Fernando who is a third year coloursman and his deputy will be Tashik Perera.
Out of the 68th encounters worked off so far the Cambrians have won six and the Sebs three while the rest have been drawn.
A total of 33 one-day matches were played and the Sebs are leading with 17 wins while the Cambrians have 13 wins. There were two no-decisions and one ended in a tie.
The Cambrians attack will be spearheaded by Naduka Fernando and Vinuja Ranpul while Vinuja and Tharindu Amarasinghe will be their opening batsmen.
Kaumal Nanayakkara who became the first bowler to capture 100 wickets in the schools cricket tournament and set a record for the Cambrians by claiming hundred wickets before the big match, will be their main leg-spinner while the skipper Suwath too wrist spin.
The two off spinners are Kavinda de Mel and Lakshan Perera while the leading run-getter of the side is Suwath with 650 runs. They are coached by former Cambrian Kalpa Fernando.
Dunith Jayatunga and Nishitha Abilash will open the batting for the Sebs while Tashik Perera and Janishka Perera will share the new ball with Sukitha Manoj being the wicket keeper.
Vinuja Ranasinghe who has 65 wickets under his belt bowls leg spin while Kalana Sandeep too bowls leg spin. The off spinners will be Praveen Cooray and Nadeera Fernando while the skipper Nuwanidu occasionally bowls off spin.
Dunith Jayatunga is the highest run maker with 1080 runs. St. Sebastian’s are coached by former Nalandian Imal Boteju.