Anula makes an impressive entrance to cricket
View(s):Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda, a school with a proud academic record which dominated in various sports disciplines in the school arena in the recent past are now riding high in cricket.
In the decade between 2001 to 2010 first Anulians dominated in badminton winning every schools tournament and became the All Island Champions in various age groups under the captaincy of Malika Ranasinghe and produced players in the calibre of Ravihari de Silva, Gayani Perera and Uparna Katuwawala all went on to represent Sri Lanka. In Chess too Anulians had a proud record producing several players representing Sri Lanka in international tournaments.
Anula Vidyalaya Cricket team
In 2013 cricket was introduced to Anula on a request by Hasini Perera the present school’s captain and National player. Her request was well supported by the present Teacher and Master-in-Charge of cricket Sujeewa Samarawickrema and Shamali Priyanthi. As Hasini being a member of the Palinga Cricket Club which plays in the women’s premier division, first she guided a small turn-up of nearly twenty girls at the start and began playing softball cricket in the gravel grounds of the school. After appointing Sahan Deshapriya as the coach they first took part in the schools divisional and provincial tournaments which they fared well to beat some of the recognised schools. In 2014 they won the divisional and provincial tournaments by showing tremendous
Amashi Dilshani
improvement in all departments of the game. Seen Hasini Perera in action in these games the national selectors had no hesitation in selecting her to the National Development squad.
An elegant left handed batswoman with having strokes all round the wicket and an inspiring leader this talented lass made mother Anula proud when she was selected to represent Sri Lanka’s National Women’s team as an opening bat at the Women’s Asia Cup in 2014.
Considering the performances of the school at the provincial and district tournaments Anula Vidyalaya was invited to take part in the All Island Girls Under 19 leather ball T20 Schools Cricket Tournament organised by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association. These young girls didn’t have any equipment and a place to practice when they received the invitation and managed to find some equipment and started practicing at the gravel grounds in the schools premises. They selected a 13 to 19 year-old team under the guidance of coach Deshapriya and later hired the Moors Sports Club wicket for practices
Anulians fought all the way to enter the finals of the tournament in meeting Devapathiraja College, Ratgama. Final match was played 30 overs a side..In this game the young lasses from Nugegoda came out with flying colours to beat the much fancied Rathgama School by seven wickets with 4.4 overs to spare. When Devapathiraja batted first they were mesmerised by off-spinner Janadi Anali whose figures read 6-3-5-5 to be bundled out for 117 in 29.3 overs. Anulians chasing the victory target of 118 runs found things easy to reach the target for the loss of only three wickets in 25.2 overs. Hasini guiding from the front being the top scorer with a well polished 41 and Anali
Kavindya Muthuminithilaka
chipped in with 23.
A notable absenter was kipper Hasini who was attending practices with the Women’s National Squad.
A highly delighted coach Deshapriya speaking said that he is proud of young Hasini Perera describing her as the tower of strength in the side. Her love for the school was exhibited when she gained permission from Sri Lanka Cricket to represent her alma mater in the inaugural big event. With the talent available of the other players he is sure that two or three girls will don the national blazer in the near future. He made a special comment on wicket-keeper Nilma Veenavi who keeps up to the stumps even for pacies with superb foot movements. Harini Hewathanthri, Amasha Dilshani, Kavindya Muthuminithilaka, Janadi Amali and Nilma Veenavi are the outstanding players in the team who are sure to go a long way with a very bright future ahead of them concluded the coach.
Teacher-in-charge Shamali Priyanthi praised the girls for their achievements and she is proud that every member of the team are bright students in their academic field and thanked the Principle and the staff along with the parents for their invaluable support.
– Lakshman Ranasinghe
Pix by Anuradha Bandara