As the 2013/14 division 1 cricket season got underway recently, we look into a side which is capable of lifting the two day league championship this time around considering the experience, talent and potential they have in themselves.
St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10 is a team which has all three qualities mentioned above in their ranks and their main target will be to lift the SLSCA under 19 division 1 all island cricket championship 2013/14 and to regain the Rev.Fr. Maurice Le-Goc Trophy in March 2014 which is now being held by their arch rivals St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya.
Brief History :
St.Joseph’s College was one of the first schools in the country to embrace Cricket and it has been played over 110 years so far. Over the years St. Joseph’s College has produced many great and classic cricketers such as Fairley Dalpethado,Ashley De Silva,Ajith Weerakkody and of course Chaminda Vaas.
In the recent years St.Joseph’s College has been feeding the national grid with the likes of talented players namely Angelo Mathews,Thisara Perera and Dimuth Karunarathne also coined the ‘Josephian Mafia’ and players like Roshane Silva, Chathuranga Kumara & Supeshala Jayathilake are also seemingly on the way to making the ranks with good club cricket performances. Angelo Mathews became the first Josephian to captain the Sri Lanka national side barring the single match by Chaminda Vaas.
2012/13 – Recap :
All rounder Sachin Hewawasam led his team to 2 outright wins and won over 10 games on 1st innings and had a satisfactory season by finishing the season unbeaten. Sachin leading the way proved his all round abilities scoring over 500 runs and taking 50 wickets during the season while he led his team to victory at the 39th Joe-Pete Limited Overs match against their brother’s school while St. Joseph’s College took major honors in the 2013 Battle of the Saints drawn ‘Big’ match.
Captain – 4th year player Dylan Fernandopulle :
18 year old stylish left hand opening batsman Dylan Fernandopulle will lead the Blue & White Darley Boys during the 2013/14 season. Dylan is a very responsible leader having shown many success during the past leading this same team to glory when they were playing in the under 15 age category becoming Joint Champions in the All Island division 1 tournament. Dylan is a born leader on and off the field with his sense of accountability and can be assured of maneuvering his troops successfully during the season. As a batsman he scored over 700 runs during the last season and has the potential to cross the 1000 run mark this season.
Vice Captain – 4th year player Priyamal ‘Bullet’ Perera :
Sri Lanka under 19 youth player Priyamal Perera is one of the best all round players going around the school cricket circuit this time as he can turn a game on it’s head single handedly with his attacking batting in the middle order or by bowling his tricky off spinners or by taking a stunning catch on the field. Priyamal is known as ‘Bullet’ for his agility and versatility on the cricket field and he has not let his reputation any harm. Priyamal can be a valuable asset to Sri Lanka Cricket in the future due to his remarkable talent.
Senior Statesman – 5th year player Sadeera Samarawickrama :
Sri Lanka under 19 youth Vice Captain Sadeera Samarawickrama is the backbone of St. Joseph’s College team this season as he brings experience, natural talent and superior leadership qualities to this powerful side. The wicket- keeper batsman is clearly top class material. He has amassed over 2500 runs during the last 4 seasons and he must be itching to finish his school cricket career with a remarkable end scoring a big bulk of runs during this season as well. Due to national commitments he will not be able to go past the glorious 1000 run mark but Sadeera will always give his best to his alma mater when needed as he did during the last ‘Big’ match scoring a faultless century.
Stylish and Dependable Batting Lineup :
Packed with stylish stroke-makers the Josephian batting order looks very impressive. St. Joseph’s College will have two left handers as their opening batsman in Duran De Alwis and skipper Dylan Fernandopulle. Both these elegant stroke makers will be followed by the ever dependable fluent batting duo of Sadeera Samarawickrama and Priyamal Perera. Reserve wicket keeper batsman Nirvana Abeysekara is a technically correct right hand batsman and 3rd year player Yashan Samarasinghe provide stability to the middle order with his batting prowess. Power packed right hand batsman Pathum Madusanka will give away the crucial final blows in the end of an innings together with Fabian Fernando and Shammi Senevirathne. The key to their success is that any player can bat at any position given the requirement and each and every batsman can be very dangerous on their day.
Match Winning Spin Department :
Josephians always had exceptional spinners in their ranks and this year will have no difference as Priyamal Perera will lead the spin department with his accurate off spinners while leg spinner Aravinda Akurugoda provides the wicket taking opportunities when he is partnered up with the newcomers this season such as left arm leg spinner Malshan Rodrigo and off spinner Hashindra Perera.
Yashan Samarasinghe and Pathum Madusanka will be the back up spinning options to strengthen the Spin department as they can break crucial partnerships when needed.
Fast Bowling Attack :
4th year player Fabian Fernando will lead the fast bowling attack for the Josephians this season as well with medium fast bowler Trishan Tanuja or left arm medium fast bowler Shammi Senevirathne partnering up with him. Brayan Jayamanna can be the fastest of the all players in the squad but can be very inaccurate with his line and length and this may be a disadvantage for him to get into the playing XI. Fourteen year old fast bowling all round sensation Jehan Daniel can make way into the playing XI as he is very capable of making the batsman go weak because of his nippy bowling style.
Coaching Staff :
St.Joseph’s College will have the services of the most experienced Sri Lanka Cricket captain ever in Anura Tennakoon as their Director of Coaching from this season onwards and the Head Coach will be Janaka Deegodagamage this season as well while his deputy will be Kapila Manohara. Coaches would certainly have high hopes with this set of players for this 2013/14 season. Prasantha Ranaweera is the master in charge of the 1st XI team while Priyantha Cooray is the master in charge of the 2nd XI team.
“We have a very balanced team and our main target is to win the battle of the saints and the Joe-Pete ODI in March and our season goal is to win more than 5 outright games. Sadeera and Priyamal will be out of action due to national commitment and it will be a big loss while few other senior players are having injury scares. We always try to give the youngsters a chance and if they can prove their worth, we will not hesitate in exposing them to the highest level of school cricket and discipline will be 1st at St.Joseph’s “ – Coach : Janaka Deegodagamage
ThePapare.com also spoke with Captain Dylan Fernandopulle “as always we will look to play positive cricket this season. even at the expense of having to miss out on a 1st innings win, we will look to score at 4 runs an over as winning the ‘Big’ match is our main goal.”
Final Words :
Positive approach to the game is the forte for the Josephians to taste success this season with their experienced squad of players. May the Blue & White college flag stay aloft with an impressive and successful season.
Full Squad :
1. Dylan Fernandopulle (Captain) LHB – Leg Spinner
2. Priyamal Perera (Vice Captain) RHB – Off Spinner
3. Sadeera Samarawickrama – RHB – Wicket Keeper
4. Fabian Fernando – RHB – Right Arm Medium Fast
5. Yashan Samarasinghe – LHB – Off Spinner
6. Pathum Madusanka – RHB – Off Spinner
7. Nirvana Abeysekara – RHB – Wicket Keeper
8. Duran De Alwis – LHB – Right Arm Medium Fast
9. Aravinda Akurugoda – RHB – Leg spinner
10. Shammi Senevirathne – LHB – Left Arm Medium Fast
11. Trishan Thanuja – LHB – Right Arm Medium Fast
12. Malshan Rodrigo – LHB – Slow Left Arm
13. Kalpa Ravihara – RHB – Wicket Keeper
14. Hashindra Perera – LHB – Off Spinner
15. Brayan Jayamanne – RHB – Right Arm Medium Fast
16. Suren De Silva – RHB – Off Spinner
17. Sandaruwan Rodrigo – RHB – Off Spinner
18. Jehan Daniel – RHB – Right Arm Medium Fast
19. Vinura Mendis – LHB – Slow Left Arm
20. Kevin Cortling – RHB – Right Arm Medium Fast
21. Clevin Perera – LHB – Right Arm Medium Fast
22. Hashan Cooray – RHB – Off Spinner
23. Harin Cooray – LHB – Slow Left Arm
24. Vimukthi Peiris – RHB – Leg Spinner
25. Revan Kelly – LHB – Off Spinner
26. Manik Goonewardene – RHB – Wicket Keeper
27. Shevon Fonseka – RHB – Wicket Keeper
28. Thashan Perera – RHB – Right Arm Medium Fast
29. Havin Perera – LHB – Slow Left Arm
30. Kesara Kumarapperuma – LHB – Wicket Keeper
Remaining Fixtures :
January 3/4 : vs St. Sebastian’s at Darley Road.
January 6/7 : vs Wesley at Darley Road.
January 10/11 : vs Royal at Reid Avenue.
January 17/18 : vs Trinity at Asgiriya.
January 24/25 : vs S. Thomas’ at Mount Lavinia.
January 31/February 1 : vs Richmond at Darley Road.
February 14/15 : vs St. Anthony’s at Darley Road.
February 21/22 : vs Ananda at Darley Road.
February 28/March 1 : vs St. Benedict’s at Kotahena.
March 7/8 : vs St. Peter’s (Big Match) at P. Sara Oval.
March 15 : vs St. Peter’s (One day) at R. Premadasa Stadium.
