U-19 Cricket: Charith Asalanka wins Bata-ST Schoolboy Cricketer award for second time

Friday (11) was a night was never meant to be forgotten or undermined for some of the schoolboy cricketers, in particularly Charith Asalanka. 

These young lads had worked hard and done exceptionally well above the rest during the School Cricket season of 2015/2016 with the leather and willow. 

The night belonged to all those who had made it big and their schools proud by being selected as the best schoolboy cricketers of Sri Lanka. 

It was their night and they were in charge of the proceedings of the night when the Bata Shoe Company held its 37th annual Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year awards ceremony in collaboration with the Sunday Times at the BMICH, where a fitting end was brought to the last year's school cricket season. 

Many were in doubtful minds if the show would deliver for what it is reputed and it was what exactly happened. 

The show had brought back all the forgotten and faded glamour and it was at its peak when Asalanka walked to the stage through the gashed digital giant screen to take hold of the 37th Bata-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of Year 2016 award from the hands of distinguished Chief Guest Roshan Mahanama. 

Richmond College and Sri Lanka Under-19s skipper, promising allrounder Charith Asalanka, who had an impressive season stood out as the brightest star in the gathering that shone on Friday night, was undoubtedly one such rising star who is standing at the edge of the national team's entry. 

The eminent selection panel led by former national cricketer Jayantha Seneviratne had no hesitation in selecting him as the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2016 for the second time, where he created history -- to become the fourth to win a double and receive the coveted award from another double winner, Mahanama. 

Beside these Asalanka and Mahanama, both unique in their own ways from two different eras of Sri Lanka cricket, former Sri Lanka captain and World Cup winning skipper Arjuna Ranatunga and Thilan Samaraweera had won it twice each. 

From the start to the end, schoolboy cricketers from all parts of Sri Lanka flocked into one place, to spend some hours together, taking honours for their hard efforts on the field, having a lighter time dancing away the night, and sharing each second with great jot and camaraderie in the name of the game they love – cricket. 

In 1979 it was Royalist Ranjan Madugalle who in as the first recipient of the Bata Schoolboy Cricketer of the year content. 

Thirty six contests hence, it was the turn of young Richmondite Charith Asalanka who crowned the event -- the second time in-a-row cutting a new niche. 

Winning the award back-to-back have been achieved only by cricketers in the calibre of Arjuna Ranatunga, Roshan Mahanama and Thilan Samaraweera. 

A proud heritage indeed. 

Asalanka also won the award for the Best Batsman in the All-Island category as Sammu Ashan of Ananda College became second best while also becoming the second best in the main draw, the Schoolboy Cricket of the Year award. 

St. Sebastian's College Katuneriya's Asitha Madushan Fernando, who became the Best Bowler in the All-Island category won the second runner-up award of the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year. 

Interestingly he was the Emerging Cricketer of the Year in last year's show. 

The runner-up award in the Best Bowler went to Avishka Thulanjana Fernando of St. Joseph Vaz College. 

Ravin Sayer won the award for the Best Captain and his team, Trinity College earned the Best All-Island Team award. 

Isipathana College's Promod Maduwantha won the Best Allrounder award in the All-Island category while Akash Senaratne of De Mazenod College became second best. 

Wanindu Hasaranga of Richmond College won the All-Island Best Fielder award while Asitha Gihan Abeyratne of St. Joseph Vaz College emerged runner-up. 

When award winners walked the isle -- they came from all parts of the island, thus proving that the Lankan cricket fraternity is grow by the day. 

Adding glamour to the show were entertainment gigs and the cut above the rest was singer and inimitable entertainer Sangeeth Wijesuriya and his band Wayo, who got the youngsters out on their feet dancing. 

Joining the party was songstress Raini Gunathilake and Prasadhi's Dancing Troupe.