Lakshitha Perera’s 213 runs and match bag of 10 wickets is sheer class
Overshadowing the bests of Seethawaka Central’s Kalana Madusanka (1,000 runs in 10 innings) and Yugeesha Dishan of Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya (108 and match bag of 11/57) is Lakshitha Dilshan Perera of Christ King College, Pannipitiya. He becomes the latest player to come out with a classic all-round performance of a double ton (213 runs) and a match bag of 10 wickets, 5-for in both innings, in the 2018-’19 Schools cricket season. A rare achievement to perform in any form of cricket.
A stylish left handed top order batsman and a fine right arm leg-spinner, Perera performed this excellent all-round feat against Gampaha Taxila College at the Muditha Bandara grounds recently.
A talented all-rounder and a keen student of the game, he has three more years of school cricket ahead of him and is expected to be a player to be reckoned with in the future. He is a cricketer who needs little guidance, who knows his responsibilities both in batting and bowling. A self motivated cricketer, Lakshitha walks into bat intently focused on the situation. He bats in his inimitable style and bowls with different variations, while analysing the batter.
This elegant left handed batsman prefers to bat on fast wickets, as he enjoys scoring on the front foot, mostly driving past the bowler. As a right arm leggie, Perera’s main weapon is the googly, which he delivers at different angles, using the crease. His fast straight ball has caused a lot of problems to opposing batsmen.
In the ongoing season, Perera scored over 500 runs and captured over 30 wickets, having a big hand in his Alma Mater’s success so far.
A disciplined cricketer he is also a fine gentleman. A player who respects his superiors as well as his opponents, and is well respected by his team and by schoolmates. As a senior player in his 4th year, he is always there to help juniors who seek his assistance.
Jayantha Weerasinghe, Perera’s Coach for more than a decade, sees a bright future for this boy. Weerasinghe adds that he is a keen student of the game who likes to try out something new in every game.