| Sports |
||||
| Trinity
takes top billing
Come September, and the scene shifts to another sport. King cricket takes over and the opening Under 19 inter-school games will be played over the first weekend. Spectator interest in school cricket over here is at a low ebb (the situation in other areas is not dissimilar!) and schools must endeavour to produce more entertaining and exhilarating cricket. Trinity takes top billing among the Kandy Schools and with ten of last years players in their ranks, they should be in for a very good season. Efficient stumper and useful batsman Chamira Punchihewa is expected to lead the side, with the fast-scoring and "fast-bowling" Hasantha Mendis as his deputy. Isham Ratnayake (a double centurion) who came good in the middle of last season, ex-skipper Clifford Fernando and young all rounder Sachith Pathirana will be depended on for runs. Left armer Muneer and off spinner Charith Dumbarange should figure prominently in the bowling department. Trinity had no outright wins or losses last year. Kingswood, who had quite an impressive season last time out, will be hard-hit by the exit of about five players. Batsman Samudu Wijesinghe leads them, while Irantha Pallegedara, another willow-wielder, is his trusted aide. Indika Senaratne, who made a hundred last year, will be counted on to score heavily. Giyan Ekanayake, a left arm paceman, had around 40 victims and together with spinners Niroshan Perera (left arm) and Asiri Amerasinghe (right arm leg) give the Kingswood attack a healthy look. Kingswood beat D.S. Senanayake last year. Sri Lanka Under 19 player Kosala Kulasekera Captains Vidyartha and right now he is in very good batting form. Experienced all rounder Duminda Wekadapola should also be in the limelight. Left arm leggie Dilan Senanayake is coming along nicely and Eranga Gangoda is a useful all rounder. Waruna Abeysinghe and Shakila Narankotuwe are two others whom Vidyartha will bank on. Vidyartha neither won nor lost in 2002/03. Mahes Weerasuriya is at the helm at Dharmaraja. A competent batsman, he lost his way as a bowler last season but hopes to take a more active part. Jayampathy Chandratilleka, a centurion, will be the key batsman, with Chamara Kapugedera not all that far behind. Runs can also be expected from two batsmen Wijetilleka and Nadunge - who the Anthonians will field a slightly inexperienced side. All rounder Mohamed Rishan, who topped the 900 run mark, with three hundreds for good measure, captains the team. Rishan bowls medium pace and keeps wickets, too. Polan Withanage, an opening bat and off spinner, is the vice captain. Shakeel and Rikaz should be in the runs. Paceman Weerabahu is expected to improve on last years performance. Big-made Pramod Fernando is the pick of the up and coming players. The absence of last seasons star, Tyronne de Silva, will be greatly felt. The Anthonians have a score to settle with Royal this year. The Sylvestrians have struggled a bit over the last two seasons and barely escaped the "hangman's noose". Left arm spinner Kenneth Udawatte leads the side. Moderately successful upto now, Udawatte hopes to lead from the front. Tharanga Jayatissa, who has lots of experience, will be the batsman to watch. All rounders Dhananjaya Karunaratne and Ravi Karunaratne (no relations!) performed capably and are expected to improve further. Hameed and Thusith Wijesekera are the leather-launchers, while Wickremasinghe will be behind the stumps. New coach Suresh Pieris' handling of the team will be watched with interest. Sri Rahula remained unbeaten last season and had an outright win. They have lost six of last years players and, until the newcomers come good, are bound to struggle a bit. Fourth year, Samitha Fernando, their leading batsman and off spinner, captains the team. He is good for many runs. All rounder Vindika Prasanna is his second in command. He bats at first drop and also opens the attack. The one to watch will be that exciting all rounder Asela Gunaratne. He is a free-scoring batsman, a medium pacie with a few tricks up his sleeve and a good slip fielder. The Under 16 captain and vice captain, Madushan Bothotage and Krishan Silva are two talented ones for the future. Kandy
Ladies at hard ball
The team is led by Swini de Alwis who is all left handed - whether batting or bowling. Another left hand bat, and right arm opening bowler, Chamara Polgampola is the vice captain. Dilani Manodara is the stumper and she has been described as one of the best ladies wicket keepers in the country. The other members of the team are Prabha Udawatte, Mahesha Perera, Sandamali Jayasundara, Nisansala Dharmawickrema, Nirmala Bowatte, Sripali Weerakkody, Subadhra Kumari, Nalika Samaranayake, Sandamali Karunaratne, Niluka Amarasena, Sandya Kumari and underground Chandima Abeywickrema. It is said that behind every successful man there lies a woman. Here, however, is a reversal of roles, for behind these successful cricketers are a few men. Asoka Munaweera and K.A.S. Kasturiratne (a one time Resident of the Sri Lanka Cricket Association in London) are the sponsors in chief. The hard-working coaches are Bernard Perera and Harold Ranasinghe. The Kandy Ladies Cricket Club is deeply grateful to the D.I.G Central Range, Nimal Mediwaka for allowing them to use the facilities at the Police ground. The women for their part are mustard-keen and seldom or never miss practice sessions. The office bearers of the club are as follows: President: Mrs. W.M.B. Wijesinghe (Principal, Mahamaya College); Vice Presidents: Mrs. C. Munaweera, Bridget Kupugedera, Olga Jayasundera, Kanthi Bandara and S.A.Y. Sooriyaarachchi. Secretary: Miss Therika Wijeratne; Treasurer: Mr. Anura Medagoda. - Aubrey Kuruppu |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
