After a fairly disastrous season in the first division last year, Kingswood has been relegated to the second and find themselves interacting with lesser mortals. On top of that, this year’s Kingswood team has only five seniors. So, it seems to be an uphill task all the way for the lads from Randles Hill.
A shattering loss to Trinity first up did not help matters. But the team seems to be turning the corner, to judge from their subsequent performances. In the last match against St. Xavier’s Marawila, Kingswood, perilously placed on 29-4, displayed guts and resilience to somehow overtake a target of 249 and score a first innings win.
Left handed opening bat and wicketkeeper Nishitha Weerakoon holds the reins. Thus far, he hasn’t been found wanting in either role. A tenacious player, skipper Weerakoon sells his wicket dearly. Having scored over 450 runs last season, Nishitha shows signs of overtaking that total. In the five matches played so far, he has made two important scores of fifty plus. If his grittiness rubs off on the others, Kingswood should have runs on the board.
Saluka Walisundera is the vice captain of the team. Also a third year, he bats at the top of the order and bowls off-spins. His half century against St. Sylvester’s last season was something special. Saluka captained the Under-17 team this past tournament. As the captain-in-waiting, a good season will go a long way towards re-establishing his credentials.
Another senior, Nuwan Unamboowe, is a right-arm leggie who captured 5 for 60 in a recent game. Besides his bowling, he is an aggressive striker of the ball. His left handed attacking play has saved his team on a few occasions.
A frontline batsman and off-spinner, Lakmal Hettiarachchi could be termed the side’s leading all rounder. He has captured four wickets on three occasions in the games played up to now. His contributions with the bat have been modest, but consistence.
Another left hander (Kingswood has so many of them!) Dasitha Kandanarachchi made a top score of 68 last time out and bolstered the middle order. His present form augurs well for the team. Opener Randika Wijeratne, Supun Bandara (the reserve keeper) and the Tharindus – Gunaratne and Liyanage – are the other batsmen on whom the team will rely for contributions.
The quickest of Kingswood’s medium pacies is Prabath Jayawickrema who seems to be hitting his straps right now. Kasun Bandara and Tharaka Munasinghe also bowl medium pace.
Kingswood’s remaining tournament games will be against S. de S. Jayasinghe MV, P. de S. Kularatne MV Ambalangoda and St. John’s Nugegoda. In addition they will abide by their traditional fixtures against St. Sylvester’s, St. Anthony’s, Thurstan, Wesley, Maris Stella and D.S. Senanayake.
The Kingswood-DSS game is played for the Hashan Tillekaratne Trophy and the former Sri Lanka captain makes it a point to grace the occasion. The series is into its seventh year and the tally stands at DSS five and Kingswood one.
Old boy and former Kandy Youth Sara Trophy player H.N. Tirana Gamage is in his second stint as coach. He has just taken over and admits that the job ahead is difficult. But with his tenacity, he should be able to turn things round. Sunil Herath is the long-standing master-in-charge and one of the best in Kandy.
The Kingswood cricket squad: Nishitha Weerakoon (Captain), Saluka Walisundera (Vice Captain), Nuwan Unamboowe, Lakmal Hettiarachchi, Tharindu Gunaratne, Dinusha Medawatte, Prabath jayawickrema, Tharindu Liyanage, Dasitha Kandanarachchi, Supun Bandara, Randika Wijeratne, Dhananjaya Monarawila, Kasun bandara, Tharaka Marasinghe, menaka Lankatilleke, Chanaka Ratnayake, Rajjitha Gamage, Shamilka Jayasundera, Mahesh Seneviratne, Tirana Gamage (Coach), Sunil Herath (M-I-C). |
E-mail
