The 73rd Battle of the Golds cricket encounter between Sri Sumangala College and Moratu Maha Vidyalaya will take place at De Soysa International Cricket Stadium, Moratuwa, on March 28, 29 and 30. This is the first time the big match will be played on a three-day format. The 32nd One Day Encounter will take place on April 6.
The first encounter between the two schools was played in 1934, and it’s believed to be the 11th oldest big match in the country. Of the 72 encounters played between the two schools, Sumangalians has won 8 and Moraliyans 7, with the rest ending in draws.
The first victory for Sumangalians was in 1962 under the captaincy of S. Sigera, while the first victory for Moraliyans was in 1956 under the captaincy of T. Hapugoda.
Moratu Maha Vidyala holds the unique record of becoming the one and only school in Sri Lanka which has produced national cricketers both in men’s and women’s categories. Sarath Fernando and Bernard Perera of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya represented the nation before Sri Lanka obtained Test status.
The one-day encounters, which began 32 years ago in 1993, have resulted in 16 victories for Sumangalians, 12 for Moraliyans, two matches where no decisions and a match was not played in 2001.
Squads:
Sri Sumangala College:
Duranka Silva (Captain), Senira Wijegunasinghe (Vice Captain), Akila Wedamulla, Mevindu Kumarasiri, Neksha Iddamalgoda, Rusith Jayawardana, Bihanga Silva, Sandeep Wijerathna, Sadew Hettiarachchi, Sadika Hewage, Anuhas de Silva, Lelum Weerasinghe, Visal Hansitha, Methum Fernando, Chaniru Fernando, Dinusha Fernando.
Moratu Maha Vidyalaya:
Isuru Fernando (Captain), Shehara Fernando (Vice Captain), Sanjana Senevirathna, Sithum Silva, Hasindu Gimsara, Oshada Diniyuru, Savindu Shehara, Sathsara Mihiranga, Vihanga Nethsara, Sadun Sudarshana, Malith Perera, Sadaneth Yahampath, Nishitha Dulanjana, Sachthra Pathirana, Sasindu Peris, Visal Sri Sathsara.
