Kalana’s feat take the Thomians to a new high
Kalana Perera, a national prospect
S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, a school with a proud history of over a century have produced outstanding academics, professionals and sportsmen. Now they have added another feather to their hat when the school’s cricket team achieving a rare achievement in dismissing St. Mary’s College, Kegalle for six runs which even could be deemed as a world record.
Thomians spearheaded by left arm fast bowler Kalana Perera had taken only 10.5 overs to perform this rare achievement.
This is the second occasion by the Thomians that had dismissed a side under 10 runs and the fourth occasion in Sri Lanka.The first was in 1885 when S. Thomas’ Royal College for nine runs. The match had created much ill feelings by two colleges-the only two colleges playing cricket at that time. In reply the Thomians were 170 for 6 wickets. When rain prevented any further play on the second day.
The second occasion was in 1961 in a government Services match between Fisheries Department and Rubber Research Institute, Fisheries were dismissed for four runs. Ten batsmen were dismissed for no score. RRI scored 141 runs.
University Staff Recreation Club dismissed National Housing for seven runs in a State Services 50 over match in 1974.
This inter schools cricket match played at the Thomian grounds, S. Thomas’ after scoring 311 for 8 declared and got the Kegalle school out for 72 in their first innings on the first day. Being forced to follow-on St. Mary’s were five wickets down for no runs at the end of the first day. In the first innings Kalana Perera claimed 8 for 17. On the second day the Thomians needed only 9.5 overs to demolish the Marians for six runs. Perera captured eight wickets for only one run giving him a match bag of 16 wickets for 18 runs.
Nine batsmen were dismissed without scoring with only one batsman scoring two runs and the rest been extras.
Perera, the lanky left arm fast bowler represented Sri Lanka Under 19 cricket team last year which prevented him in representing the school in most part of the season also holds the record in the Under 17 segment claiming all ten wickets against S. De S. Jayasinghe College.
The Thomians are continuing from where they left last year under Dellon Peiris this year too as they started the season on a promising note. S. Thomas’ were adjudged the Best All Island team at the Dialog-The Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer Year Contest this year and Dellon Peiris their skipper was picked the Best Schools Captain.
Now this promising left arm fast bowler will be an asset to Sri Lanka cricket and at the schools matches Perera is sure to trouble the batsmen who will have to be watched carefully.
S. Thomas’ under the wings of coach Dinesh Kumarasinghe who celebrates 30 years of coaching have emerged All Island T20 championship after a lapse of four years and have won the Under 17 Division ‘B’ title and runners-up in the Under 17 ‘A’ category.
For their immense contribution in cricket for their alma-mater are rewarded with a tour of Australia in December to take part in a cricket tournament to be held in Adelaide.