Soldiers of fortune in a different sense
View(s):Sde S. Jayasinghe Maha Vidyalaya Dehiwela is an underprivileged school from the Colombo suburbs which has driven its way to the
Heshan Hewanayake (Capt)
top.
After the 1992-93 schools cricket season S. de S. Jayasinghe MV, known as Dehiwela Central during that time, earned a promotion to Division I cricket but lack of funds let held them back from competing against other top sides in the country. But they are determined to face whatever the odds that may come across, after gaining a second chance with the completion of last year’s school cricket season.
Last year under great difficulties they played 14 games and recorded 10 wins to gain a worthy promotion to Division I.
S. de S. Jayasinghe MV still has not been able to improve their status financially as a national school, but they surely are not ready to let this opportunity pass by. For a school cricket side that does not enjoy the privilege of spending lucratively on their only cause of pride, others who are supposed to be their opponents in the
Ishara Kuruwita
group are ready to render a helping hand. With this lifeline S. de S. Jayasinghe MV has already begun their campaign of survival among the fittest.
Last season this school produced some of the eye-catching award winners at several ceremonies while emerging as the best emerging school cricket team of the year. That inspiration has remained as the breathing line for the existing cricketers of S. de S. Jayasinghe MV who uses the country’s public transportation modes to travel to their playing venues be it in the suburbs or outstations.
According to Lakshman Perera who introduced cricket to S. de S. Jayasinghe MV 25 years ago and still remains as its coach for the 26th year running, the boys have already started to feel the differences of 
playing standards in the segments. But as a matured coach, Perera is sensitive not to let the players take serious note of other aspects that are involved in Division I cricket, which is quite an alien platform for his set of youngsters.
Switching from the matting to turf wickets may turn out to be the toughest challenge that any cricket playing side making their debut to Division I face. But with eight well experienced cricketers in their side, S. de S. Jayasinghe MV feels that challenges are a matter of mastering. Among those who are expected to provide the goods for the team are skipper Hashan Hewanayake, deputy Ishara Kuruwita, Mahesh Peiris, Pathum Madushanka, Supun Jayasinghe, Asantha Wijeratne, Gayan Hewanayake and P.M. Gayan – all seniors.
Apart from skipper Hashan Hewanayake their batsmen are yet to click as a unit but S. de S. Jayasinghe MV definitely has a strong bowling attack spearheaded by fast bowlers and a strong set of spinners. Among the lot are four allrounders. To open their batting line up the side has given young Sajith Sameera the responsibility with P.M. Gayan. Interestingly Sameera is the school’s Under-13 skipper. Others who come to bat in order are, Kuruwita, Peiris, Hashan Hewanayake, Jayasinghe, Madushanka, Wijeratne and Gayan Hewanayake. With many slots in the batting line up still open, up and coming bowlers will get the opportunity of showing their prowess with the willow. Jayasinghe and newcomer Panchanga Madushan share the new ball while skipper Hashan, Kuruwita, P.M. Gayan and Peiris perform their roles as off-spinners. The leading leg-spinner of the side is Gayan Hewanayake.
With 12 matches slotted to be played this season and being total rookies along with the pending cash worries, S. de S. Jayasinghe MV are aware that they not in a position to perform miracles. But they are certain that their achievement and the struggle will certainly open the eyes of those who are keen to provide them the assistance they seek, in order to sustain the hard-earned status. – NA
S.de.S. Jayasinghe College Cricket Squad – 2013
| Player | Batting style | Bowling style |
| Heshan Hewanayake (Capt) | Left hand | Right arm off-spin |
| Ishara Kuruwita (VC) | Right hand | Right-arm off-spin |
| Supun Jayasinghe | Right hand | Right-arm medium pace |
| Gayan Hewanayake | Right hand | Left-arm leg-spin |
| Asantha Wijeratne | Right hand | Right-arm fast |
| Pathum Madushanka | Left hand | Wicketkeeper |
| Mahesh Peiris | Right hand | Right-arm off-spin |
| Panchanga Madushan | Right hand | Right-arm medium pace |
| Sajith Sameera | Right hand | |
| Tharindu Dinesh | Right hand | |
| Samindu Lakmal | Right hand | |
| M.A. Supun | Right hand | Right-arm off-spin |
| P.M. Gayan | Right hand | Right-arm off-spin |
| Ravindu Sankalpa | Right hand |
Officials: Lakshman Perera (Coach), Dilshan de Silva (MIC)
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