Rajans look for better season

S M Jiffrey Abdeen Kandy Sports Correspondent

Dharmaraja College, Kandy one of the oldest cricket playing schools in the island could look forward to a successful cricket season this year led by fourth year coloursman and all-rounder Hemal Munaweera, the Rajans have a young and all-rounder outfit. Hemal has displayed good leadership and temperament. He will open the attack and has captured over 20 wickets so far. But it is his stubborn batting which is an asset to the side. He is a bat who will give out his best during crisis to hold the batting along.

In Sasith Gunasekera, they have an aggressive bat who has come good this season. His best knock was against Vidyartha College when he slammed 148 not out.

He has scored over 400 runs so far.

The other capable bats are one drop bat Viraj Karaputugala, Sadun Weerakoddy, Kavinda Wijekoon, Sasanka Nakkawita, Lahiru Herath and Deneth Lanka. The bowling attack will be opened by Hemal Munaweera and Lahiru Herath with Sasanka Nakkawita being the third pacie.

It is on their spinners the Rajans will look forward to restricting their opponents. Left arm spinner Aravinda Withanarachchi and off spinner Dineth Lanka both barely 16 years old have been very impressive. They have captured 30 wickets each. Sasanka Nakkawita will be the third spinner in the side.

Kavinda Wijekoon will be stumper with Viraj Karaputugala as his under study.

Hemal Munaweera said that his main goal this season will be to win the Big Match against Kingswood College to break the stalemate of 29 draws in a row. We will play positive cricket towards achieving this cherished goal.

They will play their 105th Big Match against Kingswood College on March 4 and 5 followed by the Limited Over match on March 13 at the Asgiriya International Stadium.