St. Aloysius - laden with freshers
Chris Dhambarage
St. Aloysius College Galle with a number of newcomers in their
line-up are hoping to build up the side in the current inter-school
under 19 cricket tournament. Their main goal is to make the maximum from
the opportunities this season which will provide a great amount of
experience to their up and coming players.
This year of course they have been up against some top opposition
while competing in the Group ‘C’ of the Division One tournament
organized by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association.
They have already had some experience of playing against some of the
best in the schools scene including players from Dharmasoka College
Ambalangoda, Trinity College Kandy, Maris Stella College Negombo,
Kingswood College Kandy, Richmond College Galle, St. Anne’s College
Kurunegala, Revata MMV, Balapiitya and Holy Cross College, Kalutara.
However last year St. Aloysius College enjoyed one of their best
seasons where they were able to register as many as seven outright
victories against Revata MMV Balapitiya, St. Sylvester’s College Kandy,
De Mezenod College Kandana, S. Thomas’ College Matara, St. Servatius
College, Kalutara MV and Isipatana College.
This was a tremendous performance from this team who are still
hampered without a turf wicket of their own for practices and hosting of
their home matches during season.
Despite many setbacks St. Aloysius College have also produced a
number of outstanding cricketers including last year’s captain
Chaturanga de Silva, Malith Cooray and former captain Nuwan Shiroman who
was the Outstation Schoolboy Cricketer in 1993.
This year it has been a tough period for St. Aloysius College who
will face an acid test when they take on their traditional rivals Rahula
College, Matara in their annual inter school Big Match on March 12 and
13 at the Galle International Stadium.
The team will be captained by fourth year player and all rounder
Najee Devmith who has had reasonable success with both bat and ball. The
right hand opening batsman made a promising start to the season with a
half century against Holy Cross College, Kalutara.
Devmith of course started the new season with a great amount of
confidence having collected over 700 runs last year inclusive of one
century against Revata MMV, Balapitiya and three fifties against
Isipatana College, St. Servatius College, Matara and St. Anne’s College
Kurunegala.
Fourth year player and left hand wicket keeper batsman Varuna
Nanayakkara who is another senior player is the vice captain of the
side. He has already made his intentions clear having compiled three
important half centuries against Holy Cross College, Kalutara, Maris
Stella College, Negombo and Trinity College, Kandy.
Third year player and all rounder Samith Shiroman is a key player in
the line up having contributed a great deal with both bat and ball. He
has already topped the 400 run mark for the season including one half
century against Kingswood College, Kandy.
But he has been more effective with the ball and has over 40 wickets
to his credit as a right arm fast bowler. He has struck early form with
two five wicket hauls against Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala (5 for 39)
and Holy Cross College, Kalutara (5 for 32).
Samith who is in fact the younger brother of Nuwan Shiroman was able
to pick up two four wicket hauls against Lumbini MV (4 for 22) and
Kingswood College, Kandy (4 for 22) respectively.
Second year player and left arm spinner Anushka Madushan is a vital
link in their bowling department having captured over 25 wickets this
season including a best effort of five wickets for 33 against Holy
Cross, Kalutara.
He will be backed up by another left arm spinner and fresher Anupa
Ashan who has claimed over 25 wickets including a four wicket haul
against Lumbini MV (4 for 29).
Among the all rounders third year player Dilru Yohan also has a
special place in the team having scored over 450 runs and captured over
30 wickets in the concluded inter school cricket season.
Second year player and left arm seamer Thilina Madushan has been able
to add plenty of variety into their bowling attack having delivered some
crucial blows including two four wicket hauls against Revata MMV
Balapitiya (4 for 25) and Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda (4 for 49).
Among the newcomers fresher Lahiru Sampath has shown a great amount
of promise with over 400 runs to his credit this season including three
good half centuries against St. Sylvester’s College Kandy, Kingswood
College and Trinity College.
Reserve wicket keeper batsman and fresher Krishan Santhush is another
talented player having scored a fighting half century against Revata MMV
Balapitiya. He is joined by two other newcomers Uden Madushanka a right
hand middle order batsman and all rounder Dinusha Marlon.
The rest of the members in the First Eleven squad are Kasun Nirmala,
Marlon Madushanka, Anoj Lakshan and Chanaka Danushka. |
