St. Thomas' Matara - a team to be reckoned with

Priyan de Silva- Matara Sports correspondent

St. Thomas' College Matara have performed creditably playing in division two of the under-19 cricket tournament conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association. They won outright against Tissa Central College Kalutara and registered first innings wins against Carey College Colombo and St. Thomas' College Kotte. They lost in the first innings to Vidyartha College Kandy by seven runs and Moratu Vidyalaya by eleven runs.

Fourth year coloursman and all rounder Ashan Dinura Ranasingha leads the team this season. He has scored over 700 runs with a century and seven half tons. Bowling right arm off-spin, he has claimed 67 wickets and held on to eight catches this season. With five more matches on the card he should cross the 1000 run mark. Third year coloursman Ishan Kanishka Abeysekera who is also an all rounder is his deputy. Ishan has scored over 300 runs with one ton and the right arm leg spinner has claimed 29 wickets.

Jayanga Nirmana de Silva, a fourth year coloursman with two more years ahead of him, is a safe fielder with 23 catches to his credit. He has not fared well with his batting scoring a mere 155 runs compared to the five hundred plus and two centuries he scored last season. Second year coloursman Prashan Manohara bowls left arm leg spin and has 21 wickets to his credit. Wicket keeper Ishan Maduranga has 12 dismissals after his name and he has done well with the bat scoring 234 runs. Sixteen 16 year old Lasith Lakshan is a second year coloursman with two centuries in the 383 runs he has scored this season. Second year coloursman Danusha Lanka opens the bowling and has captured 10 wickets. First year coloursman Hashan Vimarshana is another all rounder who is strength to the line up with 175 runs 8 wickets and 8 catches to his credit.

Fresher Nevindu Udesh has done well with the bat scoring 217 runs and taking six catches to date. The others who make up this balanced Thomian outfit are freshers Rasika Damith, Vidath Jayanidu, Rusiru Akshaya, Kushan Rangana, Prince Dalugoda, Nimantha Kaweeshwara, Thalisha Dilan, S S Dasun, Danuka Dilshan, Mohamed Nazhan, Shazni Ahamed, Randika Lakshan Osanda Chamupathy and Dilum Krishan.

The Matara Thomians are lucky to have regained the services of Charith Palliyage as coach after losing him for one season to Rahula college Matara. His untiring efforts and motivation has a bearing on the team's performance.

Sisira Weerasingha an old boy and past cricket captain of the school is the capable Master in Charge who sees that the traditions and spirit of the game are maintained at St. Thomas College Matara.

STC Matara have been playing cricket for more than 112 years. The 112th big match with St. Servatius College will be played in March this year.