The question most posed in school cricket circle is: who can stop the Trinity juggernaut for good reason, too. The 2010/11 season was some kind of annus mirabilis for the Trinitians. They won ten games, eight of them on the trot, were unbeaten were the lague and T20 champions and was, in everyone’s reckoning, the best schools side. The one that got away was the limited over final which was claimed by the Josephians, a team that kept snapping at their ankles for much of the way.
The head of the school, Brigadier Udaya Ariyaratne responded quickly by awarding colours to the entire team. Further, skipper Akila Jayasundera, opener cum stumper Niroshan Dickwella and all-rounder Janishka Premasinghe were recipients of the coveted Lion.
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| Trinity Squad |
Come the 2011/12 season, and Trinity continues to amaze. The first two games were drawn on account of interference from the weather. But then came smashing wins over St. Aloysius and Kingswood. The other day their demolition of Isipathana at the Colts ground was as swift and sudden as summer lightning. The Havelock Town lads failed to top fifty in both their innings.
Sri Lanka Under-19 player Niroshan Dickwella has been entrusted with the reins. So far, he has been a kind of absentee landlord on account of other commitments. But once he does turn out, the runs are bound to flow. An attacking left-hander, Dickwella scored a superb unbeaten hundred playing for United Southern SC in the final against Kurunegala YCC. Well over 800 runs last season bespeak considerable ability with the bat. He is also a very competent performer behind the stumps.
Vice Captain Janishka Premasinghe was, and still is, a tremendous contributor to Trinity’s efforts. Opening the batting with Dickwella, the pair is bound to cause plenty of headaches to opposing bowlers. Premasinghe bowls quickish off-spin and probably that is his stronger suit. Eighty plus wickets last season at minimal cost point to his great effectiveness.
Last year’s skipper, and the main motivational force, Akila Jayasundera is set for another rousing campaign. A brilliant fielder, a leg-spinner and an attacking bat (not forgetting his leadership) show that Jayasundera has plenty of strings attached to his bow. To put his bowling skills in perspective, he sometimes turns the ball too much for his own good. Also, the lack of an effective wrong-un is a drawback.
All-rounder Heshan Wanniarachchi, also an Under-19 player, is a quite contributor. He usually bats at first drop and is a centurion. A solid player, with a good temperament, he is a good foil to the belligerent Dickwella.
Alvin Fernando, another senior player, bowls left arm spin in addition to his more accustomed medium pace. He can make a difference with his lusty hitting down the order.
The Under-17 trio of Ron Chandragupta, Rajitha Jayatunga and Dinuk Wickremanayake would acquit themselves well in any company. Chandragupta is an attacking left hander and Jayatunga, a patient accumulator. Wickremanayake tended to play in the shadow of the other two early on, but has now come to the forefront as a result of his superb consistency. He has sparkled in Under-17 tournaments at school and provincial level, and also at Under-23 level for Kandy SC. He began the season with a hundred against Mahanama.
One of the most successful left arm spinners last season, Aamil Anas has left and the void has been filled by Lakshan Jayasinghe. He tends to bowl a bit flat but his line and length are good. He mesmerized the Kingswood batsmen to capture 5 for 7. Under-17 openers Bhagya Palihawardena and Lakshitha Dassanaike, good performers both, may have to wait for opportunities to come their way. Arjuna Jayasinghe, who is also in the frame, was a success with the bat in Under-17 matches. Madushan Subendra is a rarity in the Trinity team. A right-arm paceman, his opportunities are bound to be limited as the Trinitians believe in winning with spin.
Rugger holds sway at Asgiriya but the cricketers are striving for the spotlight, too. Not lacking in resources or facilities, and with all bases covered, one feels that Trinity cricket will remain at a high level for sometime to come. The success enjoyed by his players has added a few feathers to coach Sampath Perera’s cap, and a few cubits to his stature. However, a victory over the Antonians in the Big Match has eluded them since 1987 and this will be his final frontier.
The Old Trinitians Cricket Foundation headed by Kumar Sangakkara has been generous in its assistance and tremendous in support. Lastly, a word about the dedicated master-in-charge A. Vishnuvarthan, an old boy and an athletics coloursman. He is present throughout and deserves to share in the spoils of victory.
Trinity cricket squad: Niroshan Dickwella (Captain), Janishka Premasingha, Alvin Fernando, Akila Jayasundera, Heshan Wanniarachchi, Dinuk Wickramanayake, Rajitha Jayatunga, Madushan Subaidran, Lakshan Jayasinhga, Arjuna Jayasingha, Ron Chandraguptha, Lakshitha Dasanayaka, Pubudu Samarasinghe, Amrith Srimahan, Baghya Palihawadana, Chathura jayasundera, Akram Mohamed, Ashan Madushanka, Dimal Kosantha, Sampath Perera (Coach), Ruwan Meepagala (Asst. Coach), Gayan Gamage (Trainer), A. Vishnuwarthan (M-I-C).
(Pix by Amila Prabodha)
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