Colts Cricket Club is considered to be one of the oldest clubs to take up the sport in Sri Lanka. Possessing a rich history of around 140 years, the club has produced many talented cricketers that have gone on to represent Sri Lanka as well.
Stalwarts such as Romesh Kaluwitharana and Chaminda Vaas came through the clubs representation as did Duleep Liyanage, Duleep Samaraweera, Nishantha Ranatunga and others. Further some of the members representing the Sri Lanka national team today namely Angelo Mathews, Kusal J Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dilruwan Perera are also Colts club cricketers.
Having won their first bit of silverware in 1992, Colts CC has become a front runner in the Lankan domestic cricket structure with over around 10 championship trophies since then, and having continuously being in the ‘top four – five’ teams in Sri Lanka.
The Colts Ground grounds has been developed to meet international standards with many Sri Lanka ‘A’ team matches been played as well.
Dilruwan Perera Takes Over the Reigns
In the absence of Angelo Mathews who is involved with National Duty, the experienced Dilruwan Perera took over as captain of Colts Cricket Club this season. Having debuted in both ODI’s and T20i’s for Sri Lanka, Dilruwan is an extremely good all rounder with over 400 first class wickets and 5000 runs under his belt.
Speaking to ThePapare.com Dilruwan explained ‘We always participate in tournament with the aim of winning, and that has been the culture of Colts Cricket since inception. It is important to groom our young players, and with most of the experience player out of the country on national duty, it is a good opportunity for them as well.’
‘In the absence of Angelo Mathews, I think I have done well as captain but I got a lot of support from my team mates as well.’ he reiterated.
‘Run Getters’
Wicket Keeper Batsman Ishan Muthaliph and Shehan Fernando open the batting for Colts CC. Fernando, a new recruit made his first class debut this year and has already gone on to score nearly 500 runs with an average close to 40. Muthaliph on the other hand, will look to share his vast experience with his partner.
The hard-hitting all rounder Bhanuka Rajapakshe comes in at the crucial ‘one down’ position, as is undoubtedly a bright prospect for Sri Lanka and domestic cricket as well.
Milinda Siriwardene, Roshen Silva and Harsha Vithana make rest of the strong middle order that share over 9000 first class runs among themselves. Apart from that, the experience Dilruwan Perera also could wield the blade confidently.
‘Wicket Takers’
Dilruwan will look to lead the attack with his off-breaks, while left armer Sachith Pathirana who has over 100 first class wickets under his belt will also be a strong player for Colts CC. Ishan Jayarathne and Kanishka Alvitagala will look to open the bowling for Colts CC, while the ‘tricky’ spinner Akhila Dhananjaya will also contribute as a ‘wicket taker’
‘We have started the season very well, with most players contributing. I believe the contribution of all eleven players is key when looking at the outcome of the game.’ said Muthumudalige Pushpakumara who took over the reins of coach this year.
‘I was a Colts player before I entered coaching, and from those days we have been nurtured to win and that will be the same mentality that we will look to employ.’ he further added.
Sanjay Attanayake, the Cricket Secretary for Colts CC was of the view that ‘Colts is one of the oldest cricket playing organizations in Sri Lanka with around 140 years of rich history. It was one of the first clubs to start playing cricket in Colombo and have gone on to produce many prominent cricketers for Sri Lanka and the Domestic framework of the country.’
Squad –
•Dilruwan Perera (Captain)
•Kushal Janith Perera
•Thisara Perera
•Sachith Pathirana
•Bhanuka Rajapaksa
•Milinda Siriwardana
•Angelo Mathews
•Roshen Silva
•Ishan Jayaratne
•Akila Dananjaya
•Kanishka Alvitigala
•Nuwan Kulasekara
•Ishan Mutaliph
•Shehan Fernando
•Sanitha de Mel
•Nisal Randika
•Harsha Vithana
•Angelo Jayasinghe
•Ali Khan
