Mahinda College looking for new heights

Thushan JAYASURIYA

Mahinda College Galle, hopes to re-gain their position in the inter-schools under-19 cricket arena with their talented young players and recent performances. Their main aim is to get the maximum out of the opportunities, also offering a great amount of experience to their up and coming players. However, last year they enjoyed one of their best seasons where they were able to achieve three outright wins

against Dharmapala Pannipitiya, Dharmasoka Ambalangoda and Rahula College, Matara. Apart from that, they registered first innings wins against Maliyadeva, Dharmaraja, St. Servatius, Ananda, Joseph Vaz, St.Anthony's, Katugastota, S.Thomas' Colleges last season.

Captain of the under 19 team Chalana De Silva

The team is led by fourth year player and all rounder Chalana De Silva. This right hander has succeeded with a total of 500 runs last season and his best performance was against Zahira College

Colombo (78). This season, has scored 310 runs with a best of 40 runs not out against Trinity College , Kandy. When it comes to bowling, he has a total of 65 wickets with a best individual performance of six for 40 runs against Richmond at their big match. This season he has done with a total 48 wickets with a tremendous individual performance of a match bag of 10 for 74 against S. Thomas' Mount Lavinia.

Nirvantha Thikshila, fourth year player and all-rounder, is the vice captain of the side. Thikshila of course started the new season with great amount of confidence having collected over 300 runs last year (350) including his best performance against Royal College Colombo (67).

This year he has made a total of 220 runs in six matches with a highest individual score of 44 runs against Prince of Wales Moratuwa.

Thikshila has done very small amount in bowling, being able to bag 10 wickets in three matches with a best performance of four for 14 against S.Thomas'. This year he has not contributed for bowling yet.

Sohan Kariyawasam, a third year player and all-rounder is also another star player of the Mahinda College under 19 team. In batting, he has scored around 400 runs this season, having made a promising start to the season with a century against Panadura Sri Sumangala (122) and two half centuries, against S.Thomas'(68) and Dharmasoka (52). Last season he made a century against Dharmasoka (108), having collected a total of 620 runs.

In bowling, he did well with 40 runs with his best of 7 for 27. Last year he bagged 32 wickets with a best of 4 for 27 against Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda.

Hashan Kumuditha has made valuable contributions to his team by both batting and bowling sides. He has become a vital link in their batting department. Last season he collected a total of 380 runs with a highest individual score of 67 runs against Revatha MMV, Balapitiya. This year he scored around 370 runs including his best performance against Ananda College (86 in the first innings and 62 in the second innings.

He has captured five wickets in three matches played so far. His best performance in bowling is against Sri Sumangala Panadura (two for 47). This is his third year being in the team.

Mahinda College under-19 cricket team: (Standing from left) : Asitha Sandanuwan, Udesh Sadeesha, Chanuka Udara, Lakshan Thotagamuwa, Hasindu Pinuka, Malith Mahela, Samith Kalhara, Praveen Mandalawatte, Pasindu Dilshan, Ishara Akalanka. (Seated from left) Upul Sumathipala (Coach), Sohan Kariyawasam, Nirvantha Thikshila, Chalana De Silva (Captain), Hashan Kumuditha, Sadith Kumara, Indeera Gallage, Rodney Pradeep Kumara (Assistant coach) pictures by Samantha Weerasiri

Sadith Kumara is another key player in the line up, having scored a total of 450 runs in 15 matches last season. He has a best individual performance of 85 runs against S.Thomas' Mount Lavinia. This year he has made a total of 150 runs with his best performance against Kalutara Vidyalaya (40 ). This is his second year in the team.

Second year player and all-rounder Indeera Gallage also has a special place in the team having scored 218 runs this season. His best individual performance is against Sri Sumangala Panadura (62). Last

season he scored a total of 180 runs in 15 matches with his best individual score against Royal College,Colombo (28). He has strengthened up the bowling department having captured 12 wickets in eight matches last season with his best performance of three for 27 against Pannipitiya Dharmapala. This season he captured seven wickets in 11 matches including a best bowling performance of three for 47 against Sri Sumangala Panadura.

"The performance of the team varies from time to time. The can do more if they actually make use of their talents. We have seven coloursmen. Three of them were injured. Now the team exists with the talents of the remaining coloursmen.

The three who were came back to the team has no proper practice due to being out of the team because of the injuries. I'm happy about the all rounders side.

They're performing well. But still they haven't shown their best. I hope soon they will achieve more and more this season" says the coach Upul Sumathipala confidently.

The rest of the members in the under 19 first eleven squad are Asitha Sandanuwan, Udesh Sadeesha, Chanuka Udara, Lakshan Thotagamuwa, Hasindu Pinuka, Malith Mahela, Samith Kalhara, Praveen Mandalawatte, Pasindu Dilshan, Ishara Akalanka.

The team gets the fullest co-operation from Principal, Cricket Foundation of the School, Old Boys Association, coach, assistant coach and master-in-charge.