Richmond depend on youth and talent

Thushan JAYASURIYA

Only few days are remaining for the end of the under-19 inter-schools cricket season. Richmond College Galle is one of the talented teams which played a fair game this season. The school will have to depend on young talented players and the winnings in coming fixtures in order to remain their stability in the under 19 inter-schools cricket arena.

Out of 12 matches they have secured four outright wins against Royal, Isipatana, Maliyadeva Kurunegala and Prince of Wales Moratuwa. And they have taken another four first inning wins against Rahula Vidyalaya Matara, D.S.Senanyake College, St.Benedicts College and Royal Panadura with a draw against Dharmasoka Ambalangoda. They lost only two matches which were played against Lumbini MV Colombo and St. Sylvester's Kandy.

Pabasara Waduge is the captain of the side who steers up his team. This right hander batsman has supported his team with a total of 650 runs with a highest individual score of 109 runs against Ananda College. Apart from that he has scored three half centuries, against Royal Colombo (76), Isipatana (60) and St.Benedict's Kotahena (50). This is his fourth year being in the squad.

All rounder A.K.Tyron is another strength to the team who has bagged 63 wickets in 12 matches with a match-bag of nine wickets against Isipatana when he bagged five for 34 in the first innings and four for 20 in the second innings. He has captured a number of five wicket hauls against Rahula Matara, Prince of Wales Moratuwa, Dharmasoka Ambalangoda, D.S.Senanayake College, St Benedict's, Isipatana, Lumbini MV and Maliyadeva Kurunegala. In batting he has top scored a total with 400 runs including a highest score of 87 runs against Royal Panadura. He has compiled two half centuries against D.S.S.C.(71) and Isipatana (67).

Second year player and left hander opening batsman Sithara Gimhan has a special place in the team having knocked a total of 360 runs in 13 matches. His highest score was against St.Benedict's (75). He represented Sri Lanka under 15 national team at the tournament played at Malaysia.

Bhanuka Manupriya, Left arm leg spinner is the next star player of the team. He captured a total of 40 wickets in 13 matches with a best effort of five for 25 against Prince of Wales. He bagged three four wicket hauls against Panadura Royal (four for 72), Dharmasoka Ambalangoda (four for 56) and Maliyadeva Kurunegala (four for 15).This is his second year in the team. The coach of the team Dhammika Sudharshana said that they possess a talented side with young players. And with their talents, they have been able to acquire four outright wins. The team members still has potential to do more. As their coach he is happy about the performances and he hopes that the guys would be able to for great victories in the coming matches. The team gets the well support and co operation from Richmond OBA, Richmond College Cricket Club, Richmond College Union in Colombo, Principal E.M.S.Ekanayake, Coach Dhammika Sudharshana and Master-In Charge Damith Prasanna.

The under 19 first XI squad of Richmond College

Charith Asalanka, Damith Lakmihiran, Manula Gunawardena, Sahan Ramesh, Prabath Nishantha , Raveen Kelum, Saveen Nanayakkara, Wanindu Hasaranga, B.H.Hirusha, Sithara Gimhan, Kasun Chamara, Pabasara Waduge(Captain), Hasitha Madushan (Vice Captain), A.K.Tyron and Bhanuka Manupriya.