The  63rd ‘Battle of  Mangosteens’ commences at Surrey Village today  

The oldest cricket rivals of Kalutara, namely Tissa Central and Kalutara Vidyalaya will meet in the 63rd edition of the Battle of Mangosteens Big Match today and tomorrow at Surrey Village ground.

The two schools are among the leading Division II cricket playing schools in Kalutara District. After having fared well in the Under 19 tournament proper this season, victory in the Big Match will be the ultimate goal of the two schools.

Of the two teams, Kalutara Vidyalaya, captained by Dinuka Thathsara reached the quarter-finals of the Division II two-day tournament this season. Thathsara will bank on Theekshana Tharaka  and  Udan Thejaka  who have shared closer to 90 wickets between them for success in the bowling department. Thathsara too has captured over 60 wickets this season.

Uditha  Dilruk ( scored  144  runs  against  Royal, Panadura) and Hansaka  Anupama (105  runs  against Revatha, Balapitiya  and  109  against  Galahitiyawa Central) are the players to watch in the batting department.

Unlike their arch rivals, Tissa Central could not reach the knockout stage of the tournament this season. The team captained by Shareen Dhananjaya finished fourth in their group in the first round. Dhananjaya who has scored over 400 runs, Thenuka  Ashen  Nanayakkara  (has accumulated  701  runs, with  a  century) and deputy skipper Hirusha  Nethsara  are the key players to watch in the batting department of Tissa Central, while Nadun Asela spearhead their bowling attack.

Tissa Central are coached by Rishan Sajith this season, while Pathmanath Perera is the coach of Kalutara Vidyalaya.  The Bag Match tally stands 23-7 in favour of Kalutara Vidyalaya.