St. Servatius looking to make an impression
Priyan de Silva- Matara Sports Correspondent
St. Servatius College is the only school in the Matara district that
has qualified to play in division one of the schools under 19 cricket
tournament conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association. Only
36 schools in the island are eligible to play in division one of this
tournament each year. St. Servatius were promoted to division one in
2011 being finalists in the division two in 2010. Cricket at St
Servatius College dates back to 1900 or earlier. The 112th big match
between St Servatius and St Thomas' College Matara will be played this
year.
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Sanidu Ediriweera Captain of the St. Servatius under-19 team |
Sanidu Keshawa Ediriweera a fifth year coloursman and an exceptional
wicket keeper batsman leads the team this season with fourth year
coulrsman and all rounder Gihan Nimsara as his deputy. Gihan has been
extremely unfortunate to miss most of the cricket season falling prey to
the dreaded dengue epidemic which is spreading in the island.
He has scored more than 400 runs in the six matches he played and may
miss this year's big match. We wish this cricketer who is a member of
the Sri Lanka under-17 development squad a speedy recovery.
Third year coloursman and all round player Kasun Rajitha who is a
member of the Sri Lanka schools under-19 development squad, acts as vice
captain in the absence of Gihan Nimsara.
Third year coloursman Sanjika Ridma is another all rounder who is a
strength to the team. It should be mentioned that Sanjika scored an
unbeaten century on his debut in the 110th Battle of the Blues or 110th
Battle of Nilwala which is the correct interpretation of Matara's big
match. Third year cloursman Ruchira Jayathunga is another all rounder
capable of opening the innings with both bat and ball.
Third year coloursman and right hand batsman Yohan Chanuka tops the
batting at St. Servatius this season scoring over 500 runs. Second year
coloursman Vihanga de Silva is the left hand opening batsman of the team
while Vidath Dilshan who is also a second year coloursman, is a
consistent batsman and wicket keeper.
Thushan Eranga, Mohamed Rajad, Sameera Gunasekera, Chanuka Dilshan,
Ashen Deemantha , Sachith Lakshitha, Randika de Silva and all rounder
Lochana Mohotti who was a member of the Sri Lanka under 15 team are
freshers capable of strengthening the team.
Even with this experienced and talented side St. Servatius have been
unable to make an impression in the division one tournament as at yet.
Nevertheless, they will retain their place in division one of the
with first innings wins against Zahira College Colombo, Nalanda College
Colombo and Sri Sumangala College Panadura.
They lost first innings to Dharmaraja College Kandy and Mahinda
College Galle. St. Servatius lost outright to Trinity College Kandy,
Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda and Kalutara Vidyalaya.
P.B. Buddhika an explosive batsman who captained the St. Servatius
team in 1996 has been coaching the senior teams for the past four years
with A.M. Priyantha also a past cricketer handling the junior teams.
Tharindu Mannage is Assistant coach at St. Servatius College. G.H.
Nayaynanda de Silva has been designated the responsibilities of Master
in Charge of the under 19 team by Principal Nimalsiri Wanigabaduge.
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The St Servatius team. Pictures by Priyan de Silva Matara
Sports Correspondent |
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