U-19 Cricket: Charith Asalanka crowned Bata-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer 2015

Richmond College and Sri Lanka Under-19s skipper Charith Asalanka, a promising allrounder and potential Sri Lanka material, became the 36th Bata-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2015 at a glamorous awards ceremony held at the BMICH on Friday (24).     Charith becomes the first Richmondite to win this coveted award since Ranjan Madugalle became the first recipient of the award in 1979 for Royal College Colombo.     The runner-up was Avishka Fernando, a striking opening batsman and a fast bowler who could be dangerous at any given time.     He deputizes Asalanka in the Under-19s team and is also the first to reach the milestones of 500 runs and 1000 runs in the concluded First XI season.     Promising allrounder from St. Sebastian’s College Katuneriya, Asitha Madushan Fernando, who is also the opening fast bowler of Sri Lanka Under-19s, was picked as the Emerging Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year.     St. Peter’s College, with an unbeaten and sound track record became the Best All-Island team while Lumbini College, created history by becoming the second best school cricket team of the island.     Top schoolboy cricketers were recipients of awards. But the stars of the night were Sri Lanka Under-19s caps Charith, Avishka, Jammika Darana and Asitha, who earned top honours.     Prolific run maker of Nalanda College, Malinga Amarasinghe emerged the Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2015.   P. de S. Kularatne Maha Vidyalaya was named as the Best Emerging Team while St. John’s College Jaffna were named as the Most Promising Team.   There were many schoolboy cricketers from different parts of Sri Lanka who got awarded on Friday night.     Adding glamour to the show were entertainment gigs and the cut above the rest was singer and entertainer Lahiru Perera, who got the youngsters out on their feet dancing.   Former Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas graced the occasion as the chief guest while former Test opener Brendon Kuruppu and current Sri Lanka Test opener Kaushal Silva were the guests of honour