Cambrians field a formidable team this year
Dilwin Mendis- Moratuwa Sports Corr
Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa commenced cricket in the year 1896
under the guidance of J G C Mendis with the first captain being J G
Fernando. Prince of Wales College was founded by one of the greatest
philanthropists in the island Charles Henry de Soysa in 1876 and in the
same year as a cricket lover he introduced this noble game to the
college and members of the staff participated.
The Prince of Wales College under 19 first XI squad. Pictures by
Dilwin Mendis |
The 13th February 1897 was a red letter day for Cambrian Cricket when
they took on Royal College, Colombo at their grounds at San Sebastian
Hill, Pettah and Royal thrashed Cambrians by innings and 247 runs.
Their second game was with Wesley College and third being St Thomas
College. Year by year they extended the fixtures and it is sixteen games
for a season now excluding the Big Match and limited over match against
their arch rivals St Sebastian's College.
Cambrian Cricket could be divided into two, pre-war and post-war.
Even during the World War II the school and the grounds were taken by
the Britishers but cricket was played without an interruption.
During this 117 year Period Prince of Wales has produced several
cricketers of calibre and few names coming to mind in the pre war period
are D H L de Silva, O L F Senaratne, M J Fernando, W O de Silva and G P
de Silva. O L F Senarathne is the first Moratuwite and the first
Cambrian to play for the then Ceylon in 1926 against India.
When it comes to post war period there were umpteen number of
cricketers but the few names that come to mind are Paul Devadasan, H I
Fernando, T G M Perera, Stanley Fonseka, Nisal Senarathne, Stanely de
Alwis, Lasantha Rodrigo, Sarath Fernando, Hemal Mendis (Jnr), Lloyd
Paternett, Wirantha Fernando, Pemalal Fernando, Lantra Fernando, Sahan
Wijerathne, Hayasti Aponso and Roy Cooray.
Vice Captain Ashen Mendis |
The Test players are Granville de Silva, D S de Silva, Amal Silva
(later St Peter's), Chaminda Mendis, Hasantha Fernando, Darshana Gamage
and Lahiru Thirimanne (who toured Australia with the national team).
This year Cambrians are being coached by Suranga Wijenayake and his
assistant is Nalinda Dissanayake both Cambrians. The Prefect of Games
too is an old Cambrian Susantha Mendis and Master-in-charge is G H T
Kavinda. The Principal Sampath Weragoda is extending his fullest support
not only to cricket but to all games of the school.
This year Cambrians are being captained by former under 15 Sri Lanka
Schools Skipper and Member of the under 17 Sri Lanka Schools team and
third year coloursmen Kusal Mendis. Undoubtedly Kusal is the most
experienced opening batsman in the schools today.
He is the stumper of the team and opens batting with another second
year coloursman Suchira Fernando. Kusal scored two centuries against
Mahinda and St Thomas and so far collected more than 450 runs.
He is a batsman when gets going is treat to watch. Last year he
notched up 206 runs and joined the select band of cricketers who scored
double hundreds Lantra Fernando, Wirantha Fernando and Nayana Ranjith.
Last year he passed another milestone by scoring 1000 runs and joined
the thousand run brigade along with H I Fernando, Hemal Mendis (Jnr),
Wirantha Fernando, Pemlal Fernando, Wasanthalai Fernando, Crishan
Fernando, Nilantha Bopage and Nilantha Cooray.
Prince of Wales under 19 skipper Kusal Mendis |
His deputy will be Ashen Mendis a third year coloursman and he bats
at number three. He scored 58 against Isipathana Vidyalaya. Suchira
Fernando who opens batting with Kusal is a second year coloursman is a
safe fielder. He had good scores under his belt with a highest score of
78 against St Thomas.
The new ball is shared among Shenal Chetaka and Satchith Pushpakumara
and Hasitha Lanka who is also a good all-rounder is a medium pacer.
Another all-rounder Shanuka Dulaj who had three half-centuries with the
top score of 68 versus Sri Sumangala is a left arm leg spinner.
Another second year player Devaka Dabare also an all-rounder bowls
right-arm leg spin and capable of breaking partnerships. Jayanga Peiris
is another all-rounder coloursman and a second year player bowls right
arm off spin and took five wickets each against Richmond and St Peters.
Janeesha Fernando is a medium pacer who bowls occasionally. Crishan
Aponso is a middle order but who rises to the occasion with the highest
score of 66 versus Mahinda.
Thilan Nimesh who is fourteen years old bowls left arm leg spin and
among the wickets this season. He excelled in the zonal and provincial
matches conducted by Sri Lanka cricket.
Ravindu Sasanka, Hashan Fernando and Sachin Silva are freshers and
trying for places.
So far Cambrians have played ten matches and won against Dharmapala,
Isipatana and Sri Sumangala and won first innings versus St Thomas, St
Peters and drew with Dharmasoka, Maris Stella and Thurstan and went down
on first innings to Richmond and Mahinda.
This year Cambrians have a well balanced side but none can be
satisfied with their past outcome. The cricket crazy Moratuwites are
eagerly looking forward for the Big Match and the limited over which
will be worked off at Tyronne Fernando Stadium - De Soysa Park their
usual venue on March 8th, 9th and 10th against their arch rivals
Sebastianites. |