Founded in 1892, Bloomfield Cricket and Atheltic Club has been a front runner in Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket structure. Having produced many notable players for the Sri Lanka National Team, the Club boasts of a proud history of over 120 years, and is continuing to challenge the best teams in Sri Lanka.
Brief History
Hailing initially from Pettah, Bloomfield moved to Campbell Park and finally moved to the current location at Reid Avenue in 1974 under the patronage of then Sports Minister K.B. Rathanayake. The Club house was on wheels until it shifted to the current permanent location which was earlier a marshy unutilized land.
Having produced the first test captain Bandula Warnapura and many other players in the first test team, the club also boasts of producing world cup winners ‘master blaster’ Sanath Jayasuriya and national opener Roshan Mahanama.
Bloomfield had a very successful period in the 1970’s and early 1980’s after which they’ve had a slight slump in terms of where silverware is concerned, but is hoping to groom the current young crop of players towards the glory days once again.
Suraj Randiv to Lead
Talismanic off spinner, Suraj Randiv will lead his club this year in a bid towards claiming the title. Randiv currently has over 440 first class wickets under his belt, and also made his National debut in 2009, in a limited overs game against India.
Randiv, can also perform with the bat and could be considered a very versatile player having scored over 2000 runs. His experience will be vital towards the development of the current side, since the current crop of Bloomfield players are up and coming cricketers in the national stage.
Able Deputy in Dilshan Munaweera
In a bid to nurture youngsters to take up more responsibility, opening batsman Dilshan Munaweera will deputise for Bloomfield this year. Munaweera made his T20 debut in 2012, and has been an important option in Sri Lanka’s vast talent banks for the opening slot in the shorter version of the game.
Speaking to ThePapare.com, Munaweera was of the view that ‘actually it is a great opportunity for the national side and will be a great platform for the youngsters to get themselves in with the World Cup in the horizon.’
‘Our main goal is to win the tournament, but we also need to do well to achieve this. We don’t have many big names, but as a young team we want to do well.’ he explained.
‘The Hitters’
Munaweera and Primosh Perera usually, open the batting for Bloomfield. A past Nalandian, Primosh will try to support the ‘hard hitting’ Munaweera to steady the Bloomfield ship at the start. Nadeera Nawela, Dilhan Cooray and Madawa Warnapura (son of Bandula Warnapura) make the rest of the experience in the top half of the batting line up, with 7000 first class runs among them.
‘Wicket Takers and Keeper’
Suminda Mendis will be the first choice wicket keeper for Bloomfield, having completed 50 first class games in his career. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Nuwan Pradeep who made his test debut for Sri Lanka in 2011, while the speedster Imran Khan will share the new ball with him. Captain Suraj Randiv will definitely be an important figure in the bowling line up, but left armer Chatura Randunua and fast bowler Vishwa Fernando are also extremely good competitors.
Speaking to ThePapare.com, the Club Cricket Secretary Brendon Kuruppu said ‘We have produced so many national players and national captains at Bloomfield and this year we are having a young side that would be a part of the Bloomfield culture, and grow up together. It is a good, talented bunch of youngsters who could be part of the club and continue to play for a long time, even though I would love to have more experience.’
‘This time our aim is to do well in the three day game, and establish our players in the domestic arena, and hopefully do well this season.’ he further added.
