Panadura Royal going great guns

Thushan Jayasuriya

Royal College Panadura , One of the best school cricket teams in Sri Lanka is going great guns this season with an outright win against D.S.Senanayake College, Colombo and first innings wins against Ananda College , Moratu Maha Vidyalaya, Sri Jayawardenapura College Kotte , Vidyartha Kandy , S.Thomas' Bandarawela with a draw against Isipatana College.And the most significant feature is that it's the alma mater of some cricket players who have been selected to the national team like Chamara Silva, Manoj Chanaka, Janitha Hewawasam, Kasun Samarasinghe, and Madhawa Nimesh.

Despite lack of facilities they are in a better position to challenge any school cricket team in Sri Lanka. Though there is no sponsor for them to give the financial support. However they have managed to reach top positions in under 19 inter-school cricket arena.

The team is led by fifth year player and all rounder Charith Ruchiranga.This right hander batsman has scored a total of 485 with a highest individual score of 82 runs against St.Sylvester's Kandy this season. He has been included in the national under 19 squad. And He won the "most popular school cricketer" award last year.

Kavindu Ashan Perera who has excelled in both batting and bowling is the vice captain of the side. Kavindu of course has done a great job by scoring a total of 625 runs for the season in .His highest score was against Sri Jayawardenapura Vidyalaya.In bowling, he has been able to bag a total of 66 wickets with a best effort of seven for 29 against Lumbini this year. Other than that, he has taken three five wicket hauls with a matchbag of 10 wickets in two times .This his fifth year being in the team. Apart from that, he won the runners up of " Most popular school cricketer" title last year.

Fifth year coloursman Asanka Alwis is another great player of the side having compiled 350 runs with a best individual score of 87 runs against Moratuwa Maha Vidyalaya.

Thenuka Dhananjaya, who is another talented player has bagged a total of 60 wickets in 10 matches. He is a key man in the bowling department of the side.

This player has succeeded with four five wicket hauls and with an match bag of 10 wickets against D.S.Senanayake College, Colombo. This is fourth year in the team.

Fourth year player Damindu Ashan is a vital link in their batting side having knocked over 420 runs in five matches this season. He did his best scoring 100 runs against Ananda College.

Madhawa Nimesh, who was the captain of the side last year is another senior player of the side. This season he hammered a total of 375 runs with a highest individual score of 88 runs against Moratu Maha Vidyalaya. And he has been able to record three half centuries in eight matches. He is the captain of the Sri Lanka under-19 team.

The Coach and Master-in-charge Sumith Prasanna Said "Our College has achieved many victories in under 13, under15, under 17 and under 19 cricket tournaments. And we were the best outstation school cricket team for two times consecutively. Apart from that we were able to win the Western Province under 19 championship. Our school has produced national level players such as Chamara Silva, Janitha Hewawasam, Kasun Samarasinghe and Madhawa Nimesh. We have a balanced lineup of players. I'm sure that my boys will do a great job in the coming fixtures including the big match against St.John's Panadura."

The team gets the fullest support from Principal , national team player Chamara Silva and Parents.

The under 19 first XI squad of Royal College Panadura: Thenuka Dhananjaya, Damindu Ashan, Vimukthi Madushan, Charith Ruchiranga (Captain), Kavindu Ashan (Vice Captain), Dulith Gayan, Nilinda Prabath, Akila Lakshan, Himesha Ranganath ,Madhawa Nimesh, Asitha Fernando, Ashan Pathmakumara, Asanka Alwis, Hashan Vimukthi and Lakpriya Dananjaya.