Sri Lanka Schools: Eighth Big Match at Premadasa Stadium (19 March 1999)

19 March 1999

Sri Lanka Schools: Eighth Big Match at Premadasa Stadium

Chris Dhambarage

D.S. Senanayake College with a superior track record in the current season will go in as favourites when they meet their traditional rivals St. Benedict's College in the eighth annual cricket encounter at the R. Premadasa Stadium, commencing today.

D. S. Senanayake have maintained an unbeaten record and have also notched up two good victories in the Elephant Lemonade Cup tournament. In contrast the Benedictines have failed to live up to expectations and are yet to win a match for the season.

D.S. Senanayake will be hoping that their batting would click well with several good stroke makers in their ranks. The team has been further strengthened with the return of Sri Lanka youth cap Malintha Gajanayake who toured India with the under 19 side. In addition skipper Shashi Lafir, vice captain Muditha Maduwantha and Namal Abhayawickerama all have proved themselves and will be quite anxious to make a big score in this important encounter.

The Benedictines certainly will have a tough task in containing the strong D.S. Senanayake batting line up and the pressure will be really on their bowlers Asiri Gunathilaka, Malka Fernando and Shahane Perera. But their find for the season has been the leg spinner Jeromy Saverymuthapulle who has made a fine impact during the last few outings.

The St. Benedict's batting will be spearheaded by opener Chinthaka Perera who has been among the runs throughout the season. In addition skipper Joel Saverymuthapulle, Chanaka Devabandu and Suranga Fernando are also capable of making good contributions to the side.

The winning team will receive a cash award of Rs.15,000 and the losers will receive a cash award of Rs.7500. In case the game ending in a tie the two teams will receive Rs. 11,250 each. The man of the match will be presented with Rs.5000 and a trophy while the best batsman and the bowlers will receive Rs.2500 each and trophies.

D.S. Senanayake College (from): Shashi Lafir (captain), Muditha Maduwantha (vice captain), Malintha Gajanayake, Rukshan Goonasekera, Naleen Pradeep, Namal Abhayawickrama, Malshan Alwis, Suranga Rajakaruna, Lassana Dias, Mevan Bandara, Amila Dharmapriya, Ranjula Sumein, Indunil Abhayawickrema, Ishan Amarasinghe, Pasindu Liyanarachchi, D.B. Vinoth, Nadeeka Wickremasinghe.

St. Benedict's College (from): Joel Saverymuthapulle (captain), Chinthaka Perera (vice captain), Shahane Perera, Asiri Gunathilaka, Sisith Eranda, Malka Fernando, Chanaka Devabandu, Suranga Fernando, Jeromy Adams, Rushan Munasinghe, Ganashamurthi Teeban, Jeewananda Pussawela, Jeromy Saverymuthapulle, Virosh Fernando, Earnest, J.A. Priyantha, Mohamed Ajmeer, Kasun Perera, Gishan de Silva, Asanka Wickremasekera.

Source :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)