Joseph Vaz cricketers aiming for greater heights

Thushan Jayasuriya

The dream of every school cricket team is to achieve greater heights. Joseph Vaz College’s under 19 cricket team is also aiming for same. They hope to do better this season with their young and talented players. They have already had some experiences of playing against some of the best schools in school cricket, including Wesley, St. Anthony’s Kandy, Thurstan, Mahanama and Royal. Despite less facilities, they have been able to get involved in a better deal in school cricket.

Under 19 team captain Kasun Vidura

The team is led by fourth year player and all rounder Kasun Vidura, who has had a reasonable success with both batting and bowling.

This left hand batsman has scored 507 runs in eight matches inclusive of his highest individual score of 86 runs against S. Thomas’ College. This season, he excelled with 278 runs in four matches with a best individual score of 70 runs against Wesley College.

Rukshan Shehan, left hand batsman and wicketkeeper is another asset for the team. In batting, he scored 151 runs in 5 matches. His best performance was against Revatha M.V. Balapitiya (39).

This season he has a greater total, 246 runs with a best individual performance of 70 against Wesley College. Apart from that, he has four victims. This is his third year being in the team.

Second year player and left hand batsman Asitha Mahesh is another key player in their line up having scored 212 runs this season with a higher individual score against Wesley College (57). Last season he had a total of 120 runs.

Tharindu Hasanka is the next star player of the team having contributed a with both bat and ball. This season he took a total of 20 runs in four matches. In bowling he bagged a total of 12 wickets in four matches with a best performance of six wickets for 43 runs. This his first year in the under-19 squad.

The under 19 first eleven squad of Joseph Vaz College. (Second row from left) Randheer Dinesh (M.I.C.), Janith Sewwandha, Kasun Vidura (Captain), Ravindu Dilshan, Shavinda Rajapriya, Rukshan Shehan, Yomal Perera, Sidath Dinusha, Ranuk Crooz, Mohomed Furkhan (Coach) (Front row from left) Tharindu Hasanka, Matheesha Vibodha, Nipun Deemantha, Primash Miyushan (Vice Captain), Ransi Deepankara, Lakshan Sajith, Dakshitha Sandaru, Asitha Mahesh, Ashen Ravinga. Pictures by Samantha Weerasiri

First year player Matheesha Vibodha has helped his team with his bowling having scored 18 wickets in seven matches. His best performance was against St. Sebastian's College, Moratuwa (five for 46). This season, he could not play much because of an injury. But he has been able to capture nine wickets in three matches despite of his difficulties.

The coach of the team Mohomed Furkhan says “We have a well balanced team which can perform better.

I can rely on each an every player in the team. If there were necessary facilities, they can perform much better. Anyway, I’m sure that they will able to achieve great victories in future”.

The team gets the well support from the principal, Old Boys Association, Coach Mohomed Furkhan and Master In Charge Randheer Dinesh.

The rest of the players in Joseph Vaz under 19 first eleven squad are Janith Sewwandha, Ravindu Dilshan, Shavinda Rajapriya, Yomal Perera, Sidath Dinusha, Ranuk Crooz, Mohomed Furkhan (Coach), Nipun Deemantha, Primash Miyushan (Vice Captain), Ransi Deepankara, Lakshan Sajith, Dakshitha Sandaru, Ashen Ravinga.