Aiming to peak for the Lovers’ Quarrel
Mahinda College Galle, one half of the famous century old ‘Lovers’ Quarrel’ cricket encounter, is one of the few schools in Sri Lanka to 
adopt the sport from the south. Under a new coach this school from Eliot Place Galle is set to come back to their winning ways, that is hopefully, if they could bind together as a team. As at now the team is in the process of bonding together under the guidance of Hasitha Rajapakshe, a past cricketer of the school.
With squad that has a blend of the experienced and young, Mahinda is shaping up to meet all challenges that can possibly come in their way. Last season they played 17 games but with two wins and three losses, Mahinda cricketers are not a satisfied lot. They are keen to improve and according to their coach, this
Nirwantha Thikshila (Capt)
attitude makes everyone’s task and intentions a lot easier. However their aim seems to be of a long term one.
This year out from the lot Mahinda has five senior players who indeed highly depended on. Among them are skipper Nirwantha Thikshila, his deputy Indeera Gallage, Chalana de Silva, Mahela de Silva and Hasindu Waduge. Interestingly all of them are allrounders except for Waduge who happens to be their stumper. With the inspiration of these players the youngsters are building up to be keen contenders of the game. If this commitment continues according to the coach, Mahinda could turn out to be a formidable side after the first term begins.
Their cause might further enhanced by the number of performing allrounders in their backyard. Opening the batting line up for them is deputy skipper and left-handed Gallage and his partner right-handed Ishara Akalanka. Depending on the situation Mahinda has two one-down batsmen to send in. If one of their openers returns early Eranga Perera will fill the void or else the usual form is made with the entry of Chalana de Silva who likes to sock the spinners. Next in line is Dulash Udayanga followed by skipper Nirwantha and then Waduge. To further belt up their reputation as a strong bowling unit Mahinda has the services of four seamers and five spinners.
Chalana de Silva
Again leading the pace attack is deputy skipper Gallage with Lakshan Thotagamuwa and Pasindu Dilshan coming in as worthy contributors. Though skipper Nirwantha too can handle the pace attack, the team depends much on his batting for this season. In the spinners’ list they have two left-arm spinners, a right-arm leg-spinner and an off-spinner. There too the de Silva duo, Chalana and Mahela are their key turners. From the whole lot, much will be depended on Nirwantha, Gallage and the de Silva duo as Mahinda hope to see at least two from them reach the Sri Lanka Youth side.
This season Mahinda are set to play 19 games inclusive of their famous annual big match against traditional rivals Richmond College. Unlike the list of matches, their hope is to gradually improve and steadily make progress in the schools cricket arena while aiming to win at least five of the games. Their main goal for this season is to play positive cricket, remain in the segment, build up and come out as a strong outfit in next year’s season.
Indeera Gallage (VC)
| Mahinda College Cricket Squad – 2013
Nirwantha Thikshila (Capt) Left hand Right-arm fast |
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