Asiri and Muneer propel Wattala Anthonians to Top Division
A tally of 1049 runs with three centuries and three half tons by skipper Asiri Wageesha and 107 wickets including eight five-wicket hauls by right-arm off-spin bowler Shamsul Muneer propelled St. Anthony’s College Wattala in to the second spot of the Singer All-Island Schools Under-19 Division II Cricket Tournament. With the progress the Antonians will play in the elite Division I tournament next season after a lapse of almost 18 years. The Wattala Anthonians accumulated 266.07 points behind Division II champions Royal College who had 279.05 points.
Front row from left: Shamsul Muneer, Ashan Emmanuel (Master-in-Charge), Rev. Fr. Krushan Kumara (Prefect of Games), Asiri Wageesha (Captain), Rev. Fr. Mal W. Fernando (Principal), Teshan Prasanna (Vice Captain), Rev. Fr. Sajith Aruna Alhakoon (Spiritual Director), Ijaz Haniffdeen, Charith Buddhika Back row from left: Madushan Hasaranga, Sanka Lahiru, Dilon Prasanna, Avishka Indrajith, Salith Fernando, Avinda Chathuranga, Geethika Nadun, Savan Prabash, Ishara Geeth, Ashan Rukmal
Asiri Wageesha who led the Wattala Anthonians this season is a hard hitting right-hand batsman and the wicketkeeper of the side. Asiri registered three centuries and three half tons with a top score of 186 against St. Thomas’ College Matale to steer his team forward while Shamsul Muneer bowled 482 overs of which 101 have been maidens and conceded 1497 runs to claim his 107 wickets. He has captured five wickets in an innings on eight occasions and has claimed match bags of ten and over on three occasions with best figures of 16 for 155 against Karandeniya Central College.
It is only this season that coach Fasy Anees was entrusted the Anthonian First XI and hence credit should also be given to his predecessor Asela Pathirana and junior coach Shirantha Niroshan.
Ashan Emmanuel is the energetic Master-in-Charge of cricket and has been guided and supported by Principal Rev. Fr. Mal Warnashantha Fernando, Spiritual Director Rev. Fr. Sajith Aruna Alahakoon and Rev. Fr.
Fasy Anees (Coach)
Krushan Kumara, the Prefect of Games.
It is the Anthonian Cricket Association (ACA) that provided most of the much needed finances to support the game at St. Anthony’s College Wattala. Asiri and his team comprising of vice-captain Teshan Prasanna, Shamsul Muneer, Ijaz Haniffdeen, Charith Buddhika, Madushan Hasaranga, Sanka Lahiru, Dilon Prasanna, Avishka Indrajith, Salith Fernando, Avinda Chathuranga, Geethika Nadun, Savan Prabash, Ishara Geeth and Ashan Rukmal have delivered as envisaged.
How the Anthonians performed
Asiri Wageesha (Captain)
during the season
Vs St. Thomas’ College Matale won on first innings
Vs St. Anne’s College Kurunegala won on first innings
Vs S.de S. Jayasinghe College won by 10 wickets
Vs Sri Jayawardhanapura MV Kotte no decision
Vs Sri Pagnananda MV, Raddoluwa won on first innings
Vs Sasthrananda College Dehiwela won on first innings
Vs Sri Devananda College lost on first innings
Vs St. Sebastian’s College, Katuneriya won by an innings and 65 runs
Vs Sri Sumangala College, Panadura won on first innings
Vs Tissa Central College, Kalutara won on first innings
Shamsul Muneer
Vs Rahula College Matara won by an innings and 11 runs
Vs Karandeniya Central College won by 10 wickets
Vs St. Xavier’s Marawila won by an innings and 83 runs
Vs Taxila Central College, Horana won by an innings and 70 runs
Vs St. Patrick’s College Jaffna won on first innings
Vs KegaluVidyalaya won on first innings