Ananda maintains stability

Thushan JAYASURIYA

Ananda College Colombo, one of the leading schools in Sri Lankan school cricket arena, still maintains their stability with the recent victories in their under-19 matches played this season. They have achieved nine outright wins out of 16 matches last season including Richmond, St. Benedict's, St. Sylvester's, Pannipitiya Dharmapala and Dharmaraja Colleges. The team hopes to go for greater heights this season, with a balanced line up of young, talented players.

The team is led by fourth year colourman and all rounder, Pasindu Madushan, who has been excelled in both batting and bowling. He steers up the team with his superb captaincy to challenge their rivals. This right hander batsman has scored 550 runs in 12 matches last season with a higher individual score of 70 runs against St. Joseph's College. He has already topped 600 run mark in this season in 16 matches , having a best individual score of 111 against Wesley College. In bowling, he has been able to capture 50 wickets in 12 matches with a best performance of seven wickets for 32 runs against St. Sylvester's College, Kandy. This season he bagged 67 wickets inclusive of best performance against Lumbini (eight for 50).

Right hander batsman Thushara Samarakoon of course started the new season with a great amount of confidence having collected over 600 runs last season of inclusive of a best performance of 89 runs against D.S. Senanayake College. This season, he collected 400 with inclusive of one century against S.Thomas' College Mount Lavinia (128).He is the Vice Captain of the side and this is his fourth year being in the team.

Fourth year player, right hand batsman and wicket keeper Ushan Gunathilake is another senior player of the side. He has already made his intentions clear having compiled 400 runs in 12 matches this season with his best performance against Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya (90).Last season there were around 30 victims in 16 matches in wicket keeping. This year he had 28 victims in 12 matches.

Left Hander Geshan Wimaladharma is the star player of the team, who has done his well in batting scoring around 900 runs in 16 matches last season with a higher individual score of 137 against St.Sebastian's College, Moratuwa.This season, he was able to score 375 runs in 12 matches with his best performance of 75 runs against D.S.Senanayake College.This his fifth year being in the under 19 squad.

Second year player and left arm fast bowler Venuka Ashan is a vital link in their bowling department having captured 15 wickets in 12 matches this season including a best effort of six wickets for 60 against Royal College. Last season,he claimed 25 wickets in 10 matches including a five wicket haul against St.Sebastians Moratuwa(five for 50).

The coach of the team, Lucky Rogers Fernando said "Our team has the best performance .Recently we won the matches against Maliyadeva, Pannipitiya Dharmapala and Lumbini. We have balanced team right now. And I hope they will do better in the coming fixtures"

The team is well supported by Principal L.M.D.Dharmasena, Coach Lucky Rogers , Master In Charge Priyantha Nandasena, Old Anandian Nishantha Ranathunga, Cricket Wing of Ananda College and Old Boys Association.

The rest of the members in the first eleven squad are Tiran Wijesuriya, Dhanuka Pathirana, Dilshan Alwis, Suchira Paranathala, Ishan Rangana, Isuru Gunasekara, Amila Kariyawasam, Dasun Wijesinghe, Ishan Bandaranayake, Kushil Rukshan

Caption 1: Pasindu Madushan , Captain under 19 team

Caption 2: Ananda College under 19 first eleven squad (Standing from left) Tiran Wijesuriya , Lucky Rogers Fernando (Coach), Dhanuka Pathirana, Thushara Samarakoon (Vice Captain), Pasindu Madushan (Captain), Ushan Gunathilake, Geshan Wimaladharma, Dilshan Alwis. (Seated from left) Suchira Paranathala, Ishan Rangana, Isuru Gunasekara, Amila Kariyawasam, Dasun Wijesinghe, Ishan Bandaranayake, Kushil Rukshan. Not in the Picture: Venuka Ashan. Pictures by Chaminda Niroshan.