Sadeera Samarawickrama’s hour of glory and fame

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Josephian wicket-keeper batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama was adjudged the Bata-Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2014 when he won the top award at the colourful 35th Bata-Times Schoolboy Cricketer Awards held at Museaus College auditorium on Friday night. 

Many months after the staggering 2013/14 season ended, Bata together with the Sunday Times took the initiative for the 35th consecutive year in honouring the young cricketing talent of Sri Lanka.

Sadeera, who played his final season at St. Joseph’s College as an opening batsman and wicketkeeper, earned this award mainly for his contributions as a top order batsman in the Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket team.  Junior national vice-captain at the 2014 ICC under 19 world cup was all smiles has he received the award from the former Sri Lankan captain and the present national selection committee president Sanath Jayasuriya under many applauds after a staggering night of fun and frolic. 

Jayasuriya, Chief Guest at the event was also the Outstation Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year way back in 1988 spoke loudly on the kick-start which this awards ceremony gave him to boost his career, “Coming from St. Servatius College, Matara it was a whole new world for me, the glitter, recognition and the glamour that came with the award really spurred me as a schoolboy cricketer. That achievement gave me the courage to make inroads into the game of cricket. Unlike in my days, school cricket in Sri Lanka is now diversified. There are more opportunities for youngsters to make it into the higher echelons of the game because of the present structure. I congratulate Sadeera and all the other award winners for their achievement and I wish they all play for Sri Lanka one day.”

19-year old stylish batsman from the Blue & White College in Colombo 10 also walked away with the Best Batsman’s award while 6-ft-6-inches tall left arm seamer from D.S Senanayake College, Binura Fernando was adjudicated as the Best Bowler for his contributions with the junior national squad. Josephian Mafia in the making, Priyamal Perera was glorified as the Best Fielder while the Cambrian Shanuka Dulaj was declared the Best All-rounder and the 1st runner-up of the Schoolboy Cricketer award. 

Richmond College from Galle was awarded the Best Team’s appreciation while their captain AK Tyron was presented with the Best Captain’s award as well. In the outstation schools category, Lasith Lakshan of St. Thomas College, Matara won two categories (Best Batsman and Best All-rounder) and went on to become the Emerging Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2014. Devapathiraja College, Rathgama from the Southern Province was named as the Most Promising Team for winning three games from a total 15 after competing against strong sides.

Royalist Randev Pathirana won the all-island Most Popular Player of the Year award. 

Winners list:

All-Island schools category

Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year – Sadeera Samarawickrama (winner)

Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year – Shanuka Dulaj (1st runner-up)

Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year – Ramesh Mendis (2nd runner-up)

 

Best Batsman – Sadeera Samarawickrama (winner)

Best Batsman – Shanuka Dulaj (runner-up)

 

Best Bowler – Binura Fernando (winner)

Best Bowler – Raveen Sayer (runner-up)

 

Best All-rounder – Shanuka Dulaj (winner)

Best All-rounder – Ramesh Mendis (runner-up)

 

Best Fielder – Priyamal Perera (winner)

Best Fielder – Wanindu Hasaranga (runner-up)

 

Best Captain – AK Tyron

 

Best Team – Richmond College, Galle (winner)

Best Team – Trinity College, Kandy (runner-up)

 

Most Popular Player – Randev Pathirana (winner)

Most Popular Player – Lahiru Wickramasinghe (runner-up)

 

Emerging schools category

 

Emerging Schools Cricketer of the Year – Lasith Lakshan (winner)

 

Best Batsman – Lasith Lakshan (winner)

Best Batsman – Tharaka Dananjaya (runner-up)

 

Best Bowler – Yasiru Hewanadugala (winner)

Best Bowler – Kasun Tharaka (runner-up)

 

Best All-rounder – Lasith Lakshan (winner)

Best All-rounder – Dilshan Kanchana (runner-up)

 

Best Fielder – Ramindu Nikeshala (winner)

Best Fielder – Menuka Manujaya (runner-up)

 

Best Emerging Team – Anuradhapura Central

Most Promising Team – Devapathiraja College

 

Most Popular Player – Lahiru Vimukthi (winner)

Most Popular Player – Dhanushka Lahiru (runner-up)