Charith, young talent to watch out for

Anuradha ABEYSEKARA

Unseeded talents that came into the lime light in school cricket, often made to the National and International level and later some of them have inscribed their names in golden letters in the annals of world cricket.

During the recently ended school cricket season a budding all rounder from the Carey College, Colombo has claimed an impressive record with the bat and ball. Charith Mapatuna, a 17-year old left arm leg spinner has captured 103 wickets and scored 457 runs in 15 first-IX cricket matches during 2010-11. It was for the first time in 30-years, a Carey College bowler has taken over 100 wickets in a season.

Charith's match bag of 11 for 132 against St Anthony's College, Wattala and 10 for 124 against Gurukula College, Kelaniya were his best bowling performances. The left hand batsman has maintained an average of 35 runs in nearly 12 innings to consolidate Carey College batting department during this season.

Charith was selected for the under-17 National squad after he bagged 75 wickets in 12 matches during the 2009-10 cricket season. In 2011 he booked a place in the National under-19 team and also a member of the Colombo North A team.

The young cricketer has been an exemplary student at the Carey College as he maintains a well balance between cricket and studies.

His ambition is to represent the National cricket team while being a valuable citizen for the country.

Television and computer games are Charith's leisure companions as he spends more of his spare time with the computer.

Charith appreciates the support he is being receiving from the school and said that he is doing his best to make his school proud. He also thanked the school's head coach Chaminda Fernando and all who encouraged him throughout his career.

"My parent's and little brother have always helped me and they all were behind me in every success," said Charith.