Mahanama among the best
Thushan Jayasuriya
Mahanama College Colombo will meet their arch rivals at the Battle of
the Golds with a steady side of young and talented players this year.
The side has proved that they are among the best, having recorded nine
first innings wins including against teams from St.Peter's, Zahira,
Lumbini, Maliyadeva, St.Servatius, Dharmapala, Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa and
Sri Sumangala Panadura. Last season, they recorded two outright wins
against Moratu Maha Vidyalaya and Presidents College while losing four
matches.
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Mahanama College under-19 team: (Standing -Back row) Naveen
Silva, Senura Welagedara,Niroshan Jayasinghe, Pavan Devinda,
Tharanga Mathangaweera (Middle row) Chathura Jayasinghe,
Dulanjana Senaviratne, Dulanj Silva, Chamara Silva, Nayana
Prabath, Rumesh Madushanka, Umesh Sachin, Janaka Dayananda,
Dayan Perera (Seated ) Sanjeewa De Silva (Coach), Cyril Silva,
Duleeka Thisakuttige (Captain), Premalal Kumarasiri (Principal),
Chathura Wanniarachchi (Vice Captain) M.V.S.Gunathilake(Vice
Principal), Leslie Harischandra (M.I.C), S.Rusiru De Silva(
Peresident – Mahanama College Development Committee) Not in
the picture : Subudhdhi Kaushalya. Pictures by Sudath Nishantha |
Senior player and left hand batsman Duleeka Thisakuttige is the
captain of the side. He is in a great position having scored more than
800 runs for the season. His highest individual score is 143 runs
against Thurstan College which included 14 hits to the rope and three
over it. And he scored centuries against St.Peter's (100), Lumbini MV(
100 n.o.) and Wesley (113 n.o.). He represented Sri Lanka under 19 squad
last year.
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Mahanama College under 19 captain Duleeka Thisakuttige |
Fifth year player Chathura Wanniarachchi is the vice captain of the
squad who has knocked a total of 588 runs in 14 matches with a highest
individual score of 123 runs against St.Joseph's College. Apart from
that he has hammered two half centuries against St.Peter's College (61)
and Sri Sumangala Panadura (82). In bowling, he has taken 24 wickets for
the season with a best performance of three for 26 against St.Anthony's
College, Katugastota.
Pawan Devinda is another valuable player who has been excelled in
both batting and wicket keeping. He scored a total of 549 for the season
in 14 matches with his highest individual score of 111 (not out) against
Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala. In wicket keeping, He has been able to
claim 15 victims for the season. This his second year in the under 19
carrier. All rounder and third year player Janaka Dayananda is another
strength to the team, who is in a stable position with 434 runs in
batting with his highest score of 98 runs against Maliyadeva. He has
captured 32 wickets with a six wicket haul against Zahira College (6 for
72) and has taken 5 for 30 against Sumangala College, Panadura.
Right arm fast bowler Nayana Prabath also has a special place in the
squad who has bagged 40 wickets in 13 matches for the season with a best
effort of six for 52 against Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala. This his
second year in the under 19 team . The coach of the team Sanjeewa Silva
told the Daily News that though they were unable to go for any outright
wins in the season, they possess an all round performance as a team. And
apart from that he mentioned that the spinners and fast bowlers have
performed equally well. He said that he can keep hopes on Pawan Devinda,
Nayana Prabath and Dulanj De Silva.
The team is well supported by Principal Premalal Kumarasiri,
Master-In -Charge Leslie Harischandra, Coach Sanjeewa Silva, Physical
Trainer Ajith De Mel and the Old Boys Association. |
