Peterites field a well balanced side

Thushan Jayasuriya

St.Peter's College Colombo which started playing cricket in the early 1930s has not only produced several outstanding cricketers but also has been a major force in the school cricket scene during the last four decades.

They have not only produced several champion teams, but also several outstanding cricketers who have represented Sri Lanka with distinction. Clive Inman who holds the individual batting record in the Joe-Pete series with 204 not out in 1954 went onto play county cricket for Leicestershire and for Sri Lanka , Wicket keeper H.I.K.Fernando who represented the national team for several years was once rated as the best wicket keeper in Asia.David Heyn who was one of the best cover point fielders also played for Sri Lanka. He is best remembered for the two fine innings against India in an unofficial test in 1975 when he made 105 and 84 He also made a fighting knock of 69 for Sri Lanka in the unofficial test against Gary Sobers West Indies team in 1967. Paceman Tony Opatha , who also represented the national team for several years and was instrumental in skittling out the formidable West Indies team for a mere 101 runs at the Sara Stadium in 1975 when he captured four wickets along with D.S.de Silva who also took four wickets.

That stylish batsman Roy Dias, who scored a brilliant 77 in the second innings of the inaugural test against England at the Sara Stadium in 1982. Dias also made a match saving century in the third test against India at Asgiriya in 1985 which helped Sri Lanka to force a draw. Opening batsman and wicket keeper Amal Silva who made 102 not out in the second innings of the Lord's test against England in 1984.The two pacemen Rumesh Ratnayake and Vinodhan John who also represented the country in test cricket in the 1980s.Rumesh had a remarkable season in 1980 - 81 for St.Peter's when he captured 111 wickets. Incidentally Rumesh Ratnayake was the national coach of the Sri Lanka team a few years ago.

In recent years Russell Arnold, Mario Villawarayan and Malintha Warnapura played test cricket for the country. Arnold who scored a superb century in the Asian Test Championship against Pakistan in 1999 is a leading international commentator today.

Last year the Peterites emerged victorious in the "Battle of the Saints" against St.Joseph's under the leadership of Shehan Fernando with left arm leg spinner Julian de Zilva being the hero with a match bag of 10 wickets for 86 runs. He had an excellent season last year in which he bagged 90 wickets .

This year the Peterites field a well balanced side.They have a formidable batting line up and varied bowling attack and should enjoy a successful season.

Leading the side will be all rounder Dushan Hemantha who is a source of inspiration to his team mates with his power packed performances. Peterites will depend a lot from the stylish right hander who is a part time leg spinner.Dushan has knocked a total of 450 runs in the previous season with a highest individual score of 86 runs against Prince of Wales, Moratuwa.

Julian de Zilva, who is playing in his third year will be his deputy .Having picked up a total of 90 wickets last season and a matchbag of 10 wickets in the traditional encounter against St.Joseph's College, Julian has been a major force in the bowling department .Last year he captained the Colombo South team in the Inter- Provincial tournament.

Left hand opener Shasheen Fernando is another promising star in the Peterite squad. He has proved his batting prowess with a total of 940 runs last year with a best score of 124 against St.Benedict's College.In 2011, he was involved in the highest opening partnership of 151 runs with Shehan Fernando in their annual big match.

Janith Liyanage is their one-down batsman with the ability of bowling medium paces who scored a total of 722 runs with a highest individual score of 72 not out against St.Joseph's College in the Battle of the Saints.

He will support his alma mater with Lahiru Milantha, who has made a valuable contribution with a total of 920 runs last year. Lahiru was a member of the Sri Lanka under 19 squad in 2012.

Ranitha Liyanaarachchi, who had the credit of representing the country in lastyear's ICC Youth World Cup in Australia is another vital link in the batting line up.

This dynamic right hander has collected a total of 370 runs . Liyanarachchi is also a useful all-rounder.Another reliable batsman in the squad is left hander Jason Buultjens who has made sparkling knocks in the last season with a total of 520 runs.

The spin attack of Julian de Zilwa , Dushan Hemantha and Chrishan Fernando will pose a real danger to the opponents .The new ball will be shared by Ranitha Liyanaarachchi and Chemila Obeysekara with Janith Liyanage coming as the first change bowler.

Ranitha had a successful season last year bagging 43 wickets.

The team is being coached by former Sri Lanka Paceman Keerthi Gunaratne who takes a keen interest in making the Peterites a formidable team and he is being assisted by the 1979 Peterite skipper Kitto Fernandopulle, shanaka Fernando and Piyal Salgado.

The Master-In-Charge Sanath Chinthaka says that the team has the necessary ingredients to become a force to be reckoned with in the current division one tournament.The team gets the encouragement from Rector Rev.Fr Travis Gabriel, sports coordinator Rev.Fr. Lakmin Silva, Master In Charge Sanath Chinthaka, Coach Keerthi Gunaratne, Assistant Coaches Piyal Salgado, Kitto Fernandopulle and Shanaka Fernando.

The St.Peter's under 19 first XI Squad Dushan Fernando(Captain), Julian de Zilva (Vice Captain), Shasheen Fernando, Kavinda de Tissera, Lahiru Milantha, Jason Buultjens, Ranitha Liyanaarachchi, Chrishan Fernando,Sahan Nanayakkara, Oshan Karunaratne, Nimantha Peiris, Sudhil Dissanayake, Methusha Wijethilleke, Kalana Ranjana,Haritha Dias, Dineth Hewathanthri,Janitha Liyanage and Chemila Obeysekara.