Big Match winning Rajans off to Malaysia

By Reemus Fernando

The First XI team of Dharmaraja College, Kandy who beat arch rivals Kingswood College after 30 years in the century old Big Match series early this year were scheduled to leave for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today on a tour jointly organized by various association of the College to celebrate the historic victory.

The team captained by Hemal Munaweera beat Kingswood College, by seven wickets to record their first victory in 30 years early this year.

"This tour is organized to encourage the boys. We will be playing several matches during the tour," Ananda Wijesekara the coach of the First XI team told The Island yesterday.

According to the coach 13 of the 15 member Big Match squad are taking part in the tour. Mayura Ratnayake and Sasanka Nakkawita who were also in the squad are not taking part in the tour as they are pursuing their higher (Campus) education.

The players in the touring party include Hemal Munaweera (Big match Captain), Sandun Weerakkody (current captain), Nuwan Karunaratne, Viraj Karaputugala, Lasitha Weeraratne, Oshan Samarakoon, Kavinda Jayasinghe, Anuruddha Withanarachchi, Deneth Lanka, Venuka Galahitiyawa, Lahiru Herath, Shasheen Abeykoon and Nilupul Rajapaksa.

Incidentally, except for Munaweera, Herath and Rajapaksa all others are a part of the current team featuring in the ongoing Under-19 tournament.

The officials touring with the team are Ananda Wijesekara (coach), Sarath Ekanayake (MiC), Sarath Matharaarachchi (PoG) and Sarath Munaweera (President, Cricket Foundation).

The team was scheduled to leave at 7.30 am today and are due back on November 19.

According to the coach Old Boys Cricket Foundation, OBA’s Colombo Branch, Schools Development Society have combined to organize the tour.