ThePapare.com met up with the Kothmale Chox Twenty 20 champions, St. Sebastian’s College. Situated in the heart of Moratuwa, St. Sebastian’s College boasts of a robust sporting culture with some national players being produced by the school.
Stalwarts like Duleep Mendis, Roger Wijesuriya Sajeev de Silva and the famous Romesh Kaluwitharana & current Sri Lanka Wicket Keeper Prasanna Jayawardena are some names that come to mind.
With the decision of bringing the best cricket playing schools in to one arena, Kotmale Chox came forward as sponsors of the schools Twenty 20 championship which was worked off in grand style this year. After some weeks of grueling battle St. Sebastian’s became the champions scoring 122 for a loss of seven wickets against Wesley College who were skittled out by the Moratuwa lads for a trivial 80 runs in 15.4 overs.
In this background, ThePapare deemed it necessary to chat up the winning captain Anushka Perera of St Sebastians. It requires a great deal of devoted leadership to secure victories in the cricketing arena and second year coloursman Perera no doubt was a successful leader as he went up against some very strong teams like St Peters, Wesley, Prince of Wales, Joeseph Vaz and Gurukula to secure the championship. He displays qualities of a great personality being a multitalented top order batsman and a right arm leg spinner. He is an experienced cricketer who claims he was inspired by his parents and the coaching staff along the way. As the captain of under 13, under 15 and under 19 teams at St. Sebastian’s College, he has had plenty of experience leading the side and as a player, he added many contributions to the score sheet of the Sebastian’s for more than four years.
In the current cricket season he escorted the team for four outright wins and though the last big match ended in a draw, St. Sebastian’s managed to beat their traditional rivals Prince of Wales College at the semi finals of the Kotmale Chox Twenty 20 championship.
Wesley College was a highly regarded team this year and were in peak form in many stages. Speaking to ThePapare.com Anushka Perera stated, “Undoubtedly Wesley College is a qualified team. They chased 150 against St. Peters which is a top side at the semi final stage. I never thought that Wesley will be an easily beatable team. But we managed to score 121 at the final and on that wicket it was a good score. So I knew that we can win the game”
“Our preparation was great. We were hard in the practices targeting the championship. My team gave me a great support in the practices and what my advice was to forget the past and think about the present. The entire team contributed to get us here. This is not just a cricket team which meets in the afternoon and forgets it in the night, but this is a family. We solved each others problems as a family. So the victory was the end of all that ” said Perera summing up what lead to the great victory.
Not only winning the championship, St. Sebastians also produced the Man of the Match Sangeeth Cooray, and Best bowler leg-spinner Pramesh Fernando. For his contribution which was stamped all over the tournament Cooray also secured the more prestigious Man of the series
Anuk Fernando, Samith Silva and Luke Jayadewa contributed with runs in the championship while Kusal Lakthilina and Nimesh Fernando added spice in the bowling.
“I am proud of my team. It was not me but the team which made such a victory. I will not be here as a captain if my team does not help me. So I am very thankful for them for the contribution they made in the Kotmale Chox championship as well as in the last cricket season” Captain Anushka Perera stated emotionally.
If there is any person who merits credit for the progress and the achievements of the team, it is the coach Naleen Wijesinghe. As an old boy of the school he has stood in service most ardently. He has a load of experience playing club cricket and school cricket and has played in championships in Dubai and Australia and undergone training in Australia.
Mr. Frank Coorey, being the Master in charge for cricket in the St. Sebastian’s college rendered a massive contribution for the achievements so far and also without a doubt assisted them to becoming champions of the Kothmale Chox Twenty20. Being a student of St. Sebastian’s College, Frank lead the under 19 cricket team towards many victories in 1965.”I contributed to my school with my knowledge. We have produced 6 national players; I was the coach or the master in charge for all of them. Duleep Mendis, Romesh Kaluwitharana and Roger Wijesooriya are some of my students.” Mr. Frank Cooray stated proudly.
ThePapare.com congratulates the team on their success
