Former Thomian cricket star rarin’ to make a comeback
With the champion S. Thomas’ College of 2018
Former S. Thomas’ College all-rounder Dellon Peiris, the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year in 2018 season, is bursting with energy and determination to make an impact in the national firmament after his promising career was plagued by sickness and injuries.
One of the finest talents to emerge from the school by the sea in Mount Lavinia, Dellon is rarin’ to go after being laid low by dengue and torn ligaments in his right ankle at crucial stages of his outstanding career.
A left arm orthodox spinner and right hand middle order batsman who went head to head with Sri Lanka spinner Lasith Embuldeniya of Royal on his debut for S. Thomas’ in the ‘Battle of the Blues’ in 2016, Dellon had a glittering school cricket career sweeping the All Island awards in the 2017-18 season.
Claiming the Mustangs Trophy
He captained S. Thomas’ that season leading from the front scoring 626 runs and snaring 72 wickets in 23 matches including five five-wicket hauls and a match bag of 10 on one occasion. He also achieved the distinction of claiming a hat-trick against Dharmapala as S. Thomas’ recorded eight wins, including six outright, to be adjudged the Best All Island School team after 30 years. He also held 31 catches to be nominated for the Best Fielder’s award.
His prolific form continued the following season scoring 486 runs and capturing 88 wickets in 26 matches and playing an integral role as a fourth year coloursman in the Thomian victory at the 140th Battle of the Blues.
Winner of the Prasanna Meemanage Memorial Prize for the Best Spin Bowler of the season for four consecutive years, Dellon displayed his leadership potential captaining S. Thomas’ in all age groups from under-13, under-15 and under-17. He achieved the honour of captaining the College first XI team in 2017-18 season, leading S. Thomas’ to a record fifth consecutive triumph in the Mustangs Trophy one-day encounter against Royal and attained the distinction of being adjudged the Best All Island school cricket captain to cap an excellent season.
Dellon Shayam Millein Brian Lara Peiris who was born during the era when West Indian great Brian Lara reigned supreme seemed destined to achieve great deeds as a cricketer although displaying his talents as an all-round sportsman at school level. He represented College in junior rugby, played hockey, competed in the 800 metres and was an outstanding swimmer being a member of the record breaking Freestyle Relay team in the Public Schools swimming event in the under 12 age category in 2011.
Winning one of thre three awards in 2018
“Leading S. Thomas’ to become the Best All Island team after 30 years was the most memorable moment in my career and also taking a hat-trick that season. I was looking forward to getting into the Sri Lanka Under 19 but unfortunately I got dengue (in 2018). Then while practising at Ragama CC the next season I completely tore two of my ligaments and was out for seven months,” said Dellon who aims to reignite his career by taking part in the Premier tournament and playing in the Red Bull Campus tournament representing Imperial College of Business Studies where he is doing a degree in International Business and Finance.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to prove myself and make a comeback to the Sri Lankan arena,” said Dellon who will be 21 next month.
“I am training and doing my physical fitness and waiting for a breakthrough to play at national level,” said Dellon whose idol as a bowler is Rangana Herath, one of the greatest left arm spinners Sri Lanka has produced while his role model as a captain is another Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene.
Having played for Jaffna in the Under-19 Inter-Provincial tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket and represented Ragama CC in the Under-23 Limited Over tournament last year before the season was curtailed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, outstanding talents like Dellon are waiting on the wings to step up to the plate and answer the call of national duty.
| Dellon Peiris’ Achievements in Cricket | |
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENTS
NATIONAL AWARDS
ROYAL – THOMIAN
OVERSEAS TOURS
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