Old Petes to host cricket quadrangular

The Cricket Quadrangular began by Ranjith Samarasekera of Old Antonians fame in 1963 among four leading Catholic schools in the country - St. Anthony's College, Kandy, St. Benedict's College, Kotahena, St. Joseph's College, Maradana and St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya will hold its 38th annual limited overs cricket tournament on August 27 and 28.

On this occasion it is the turn of the Old Peterites to host the series and they intend making it a successful one with no stone left unturned. On Old Peterite Bernard Wijetunge's shoulders has fallen the task of organising this event.

Chairing a media conference in connection with the event at St. Peter's College hall on Tuesday evening, Old Peterite president Harin Gunawardena delving briefly into the history of the tournament described Ranjith Samarasekera as the father of the tournament for it was he who laid the seeds for its inauguration. He said the tournament could not have met with success if it did not have a mother and named veteran commentator Maurice Perera of Old Petes fame as the mother of the tournament.

The idea to hold such a tournament originated from Old Bens SC when they organised a sports festival to commemorate the diamond jubilee of the club. From there it caught on capturing the interest of the supporters of the four schools who each in turn took over in organising the event each year. It was not held only on three occasions in 1970, 1978 and 1989.

Needless to say the four schools have given Sri Lanka Cricket some of the most outstanding cricketers, some of whom may figure in the matches of the quadrangular or in the veterans' over 40 tournament which was inaugurated in 2002 and has now become a permanent fixture.

Currently there are three great stalwarts gracing the international cricket fields representing the country - Muttiah Muralitharan (St. Anthony's), Chaminda Vaas (St. Joseph's), and Russel Arnold (St. Peter's) while Ranjit Fernando (St. Benedict's), a former Sri Lanka cricketer and manager is on the prestigious international panel of television commentators.

The tournament tally stands at 11 wins to Old Bens, 10 each to Old Joes and Old Peterites and 9 wins to Old Antonians. On three occasions there has been joint winners.

In the Veterans over 40 tournament Old Petes, Old Bens and Old Antonians have won once each. There will be individual awards for best batsman, best bowler, best fielder and man of the match. Former Sri Lanka captain Anura Tennekoon will be the adjudicator for the main quadrangular final and Jerry Woutersz, another former cricketer the adjudicator at the Veterans over 40 final.

Former Peterite captain Dion Wallace who captained the champion side of 1946-47 and his opposing captain Neil Weerasinghe will be the chief guest and the guest of honour respectively.

Old Petes will organise a social with dinner at the Fr DJ Nicholas Perera memorial hall at St Peter's College for the four teams and officials of the quadrangular schools on Saturday (August 27).