With the 1st XI season gaining moment with every passing day, here is the 2nd installment of ThePapare.com’s Know your Schools Cricket Captains for the Singer U19 division 1 cricket tournament 2018/19.
- Ranmith Jayasena – St. Peter’s College, Colombo
A versatile left-handed batsman who can bat anywhere in the line-up, Ranmith Jayasena has been a major contributor for St. Peter’s in the past 3 years. The tall man who usually bats in the middle-order, likes to go after the spinners, taking maximum advantage of his height. Jayasena is also a very useful right-arm off spinner who could keep the batsmen quiet with his tight bowling.
- Kamesh Nirmal – Ananda College, Colombo
The 3rd year coloursman, Nirmal, is a stylish right-handed wicket-keeper batsman. Cricket runs in his entire family as he is the younger brother of Sri Lanka captain, Dinesh Chandimal. Nirmal is well known by the Anandians for his unbeaten hundred at the 2018 Big against arch-rivals Nalanda. He has been a regular member of the U19 provincial tournament since 2016, representing the Western Province North team.
- Nishan Madushka – Moratu Maha Vidyalaya
The right-hander from Moratuwa is a treat to watch at the crease, with over 2200 runs in his 45 1st XI appearances for Moratu Vidyalaya. With averages of 58 in the one-dayers, 43 in U19 international four-dayers, 39.64 in Youth ODIs and 44.11 in U19 provincial games, the youngster has some phenomenal numbers beside his name. Madushka stands out from the rest for his remarkable consistency. Keep an eye out for him, this kid has something special in him.
- Sithara Hapuhinna – S.Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia
3rd Year coloursman, Sithara Hapuhinna, is a heavyset wicket-keeper-batsman. His elegant stroke play is highly spoken of by coaches. Hapuhinna is a very reliable top-order batsman and had a good season last year. He also has experience in U15 and U19 provincial tournaments. Hapuhinna’s strength is his ability to maintain the run rate at the top of the order which takes the pressure off the other batsmen.
- Pasindu Aadithya – D.S.Senanayake College, Colombo
Playing his 4th year for D.S. Senanayake College, Pasindu Aadithya is one of the senior most players in the squad. The right-arm leg spinner is a very valuable asset to the team and has got the ability of creating trouble for the batsmen from one end. Aadithya also has experience playing in the U15 and U19 provincial tournaments.
- Mohamed Rifath – Zahira College, Colombo
Mohamed Rifath will be playing as a frontline off spinner for Zahira College this year. He had a decent season last year in which he managed to pick up 15 wickets with an economy of 3.83. Rifath is into his 3rd year for the Zahira College 1st XI and has previously captained Zahira at the U15 level. He also can wield the long-handle pretty well when the need arises.
- Ashan Fernando – Maris Stella College, Negombo
A stylish right-hand bat, Ashan Fernando, has been a familiar name for the followers of Maris Stella cricket for a while now. His elegant stroke play and his classic cover drive is simply a treat to watch. Ashan averages over 33 runs per match and has 3 hundreds and 3 fifties and also a 200 to his name in U19 tournament games. Ashan was in sublime form during this year’s U19 provincial tournament in which he averaged a phenomenal 53.71 and led the Western Province North team to the finals of the tournament.
- Chamindu Samarasinghe – Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya
He has been doing most of the bowling for Dharmapala lately. Left-arm spinner, Chamindu Samarasinghe has been the regular wicket-taking option for Dharmapala College in the last 2 years, taking over 50 wickets in the last season. He also bagged 3 fifers in the season with an economy of 3.82. Chamindu averages an excellent 21.88 runs per wicket in his 1st XI career. Chamindu is playing his 4th year for Dharmapala and was vice-captain last year.
- Shenal Dangalla – Wesley College, Colombo
A genuine all-rounder and a 5th year couloursman, Shenal Dangalla will lead Wesley College in this year’s 1st XI season. Dangalla bowl right-arm medium fast and bats in the top-order, usually prefers to bat at number four. A very good cricketing brain and has experiences in U19 provincial tournaments and leading Wesley in U15 and U17. He was also in the Sri Lanka U19 pool as a stand by player of the squad.
- Pathum Boteju – Mahanama College, Colombo
A very versatile cricketer, Pathum is capable of opening the batting as well anchoring it down the order, bowling with the new ball and also with the old. The left-arm spinner averages a remarkable 21.84 with the ball coupled up with his fantastic economy of below 3.5 runs an over in 1st XI cricket. Pathum has previously played in U15 and U19 provincial tournaments and this is his 4th year for the Mahanama 1st XI team.
- Dinuka Dilshan – Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda
Averaging close to 30 runs with the bat and picking up a wicket every 20 runs while bowling is definitely an eye-catching career statistic for young Dinuka from Ambalangoda. Over 2000 runs in 1st XI games and a highest-score of 216 runs should show his skills with the bat as well. Dinuka hit a century in the U23 provincial tournament this year and has represented Southern and Eastern provinces in the provincial U19 tournaments. He also has over 50 wickets in 1st XI cricket to his name.
- Madushika Sandaruwan – Isipathana College, Colombo
The left-armer is leading the bowling attack for Isipathana this season. He has over 65 wickets to his name in 1st XI cricket, taking close to 50 wickets last season. Sandaruwan has taken a five-wicket haul in a big match one-dayer and is highly regarded by the coaches for his extraordinary bowling average and consistency in his line and length. He is also very handy with the bat and can provide vital knocks in pressure situations.
