It was only 34 years ago that Royal College Panadura was inaugurated but the distance they have travelled in the field of schools cricket is much worthier than of popular schools with rich traditions. Entering the Division I segment in schools cricket 200 and making tidal waves in the division has been a habitual fact for the cricketers of Royal Panadura. They perform all these marvels sometimes even without the basic necessities. But their feats have been on the rise based on a simple fact, which is the commitment of the cricketers, the coach and their supporters.
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| Charitha Ruchiranga (Captain) |
This season is their second year in the Division I and so far they have inflicted defeats against top contenders such as Vidyartha Kandy, Moratu Vidyalaya, Sri Jayewardenepura MV and DS Senanayake College in seven outings so far. With a huge list of 21 matches, including traditional and tournament fixtures Royal Panadura has a target of reaching eight wins, which can be easily achieved at this pace. Their target mainly is based on tournament matches which decide the eventual valuation in schools cricket.
“We are an emerging team from a national school in the suburbs with limited resources. But our talent bank is rich relatively to other popular schools in main cities. What we lack is a ground, a place to practice and even the facilities are not at its best. The school has to spend a huge amount on the ground for practices and matches.
With contributions from well-wishers we were able to construct a practice wicket at school on a gravel ground. But thanks to the commitment of these talented boys cricket at Royal Panadura is going great guns. But it’s not easy to maintain our standard in the big league which has the country’s top teams,” grieved Sumith Prasanna, who has been acting a dual role as the coach and master-in-charge of the cricket team for the past 16 years.
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| Kavindu Ashan (Vice Captain) |
Last season, in their inaugural year in Division I, Royal Panadura faired well for a newcomer with three famous wins – against Thurstan, Kingswood and Wesley. This year with a bigger target and a much bigger heart, the Royal Panadura lads have been preparing well to take on the challenge.
Last year they had the services of three prominent cricketers, a batting all-rounder and two bowling all-rounders who went on to claim 100 wickets each in a season from the same team, which is a record in schools cricket.
This season they have the services of seven seniors namely skipper Charith Ruchiranga, vice captain Kavindu Ashan, Asanka Alwis, Madhawa Nimesh, Damindu Ashan, Dulith Gayan and Asitha Fernando who are prominent all-rounders. Aiming the future, Royal Panadura accommodates players from their Under-13, 15 and 17 teams in the first XI squad.
“Apart from seniors we rotate players in the interest of the team and wins. We are based more on the target and to achieve that we must maintain a healthy balance in the final playing XI. As a result we blend some of the talented youngsters from the junior teams with the experienced seniors so that they will get the much needed exposure. But still we focus on the balance of the team,” Prasanna added.
Opening their batting comes Dumindu Ashan and Madhawa Nimesh followed by skipper Ruchiranga, Kavindu Ashan and Alwis. Gayan and Fernando come in next in the order and remaining four slots are filled from their rich choice of talented players. Royal Panadura has three strike bowlers in paceman Alwis, off-spinner Kavindu and left-arm spinner Thenuka Dhananjaya who is a first choice turner for encounters. In total the team has a blend of two fast bowlers, four spinners and three part-time bowlers.
Their skill bank and the level of the team proved to be a vital in clinching many an award at last year’s Bata-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year competition. Royal Panadura went on to bag the award as the emerging team as well as the best team from the western province. Their cricketers won two main awards in the best bowler’s category, the main award in the best fielder’s category and also claimed two top awards in the most popular category from the emerging segment. They also aim to retain their glory at this year’s competition. But their cricketers could not reach the national Under-19 status due to ignorance of top officials who are in charge of selecting players.
“If we perform well, awards and accolades will naturally follow us. Our main goal is to record more wins, aided by individual brilliances by our skilful cricketers who has been at their best in the recent years. I’m sure they will continue their good form and bring glory to the school as their predecessor Chamara Silva did by reaching the top in international cricket,” explained Prasanna.
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| Royal Panadura cricket squad. (Pix by Amila Prabodha) |
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