As the biggest domestic cricket tournament in the island is currently being conducted successfully, one of the top teams in the league, Tamil Union C & AC will have a daunting task ahead if they are to stamp their authority and win the title.
Bit of History
Founded in 1899, the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club has been in the forefront of Sports promotion in the Island since then. Apart from this contribution, they have also provided their hallowed turf the P. Sara Oval – the prime reason for the induction of Sri Lanka into Test Cricket.
Tamil Union has also produced two of the nations’ undisputable cricketing champions – the incomparable Mahadevan Sathasivam, acknowledged as the finest batsman the country has ever produced, and the irrepressible and irreplaceable Muttiah Muralidaran, the best bowler the World has ever seen and probably will ever see.
The Club has introduced cricketers like Champaka Ramanayake, Pramodaya Wickremasinghe, Upul Chandana, Niroshan Bandaratileke, Athula Samarasekera, Indika De Saram, Chandika Hathurusinghe to the national team over the past years yet, the Club has failed to win the most coveted prize in Lankan domestic circuit since 1951.
Key Players
The officially appointed skipper and all-rounder Jeewan Mendis and four of the other big guns, TM Dilshan, Rangana Herath, Shaminda Eranga and Suranga Lakmal have been playing for the national team for the last couple of months and they will be dearly missed for their club matches during the current season.
Experienced Test seamer, Chanaka Welegedara leads the Tamil Union outfit in absence of Jeewan Mendis. The 33-year old left-armer has captured close to 300 first-class wickets and he will lead bowling pack as well. Stylish left-hander Kithruwan Vithanage is the most experienced batsman in the squad with over 2700 first class runs and his partner in crime, Rumesh Buddhika is one of the future stars in the Lankan Test team if he can transform his talent into runs.
Left-arm spinner Chamikara Edirisinghe has been bestowed with the responsibility of taking the bulk of the wickets and has been a prominent wicket-taker in his short first-class career so far.
Right-arm off-spinning all-rounder Ramith Rambukwella adds the power punch to the Tamil Union lineup with his versatility and skill. Fast-bowler Nisala Tharaka has been promising loads of raw pace lately and has the knack of troubling top batsmen around the domestic circuits.
Opening batsman, Pabasara Waduge has already stroked four tons in his first class career which is less than 25 games so far. The right-hander from Galle has accustomed to the Tamil Union traditions and values to become one of their greatest assets in the near future.
Young & New Blood
The wicket-keeper batsman from St. Anthony’s College, Katugasthota, Manoj Sarathchandra emphasizes the freedom and trust shown by the club authorities on young talent. Manoj will be itching to kick start his first-class cricket career at one of the oldest clubs in Sri Lanka. Big match winning Royal skipper and left-arm spinner Devind Pathmanathan will be a value added inclusion in the Tamil Union bowling attack and his college mate, Hashane Ramanayake provides stability in the middle order in an inexperienced batting unit.
Former Peterite fast-bowler Ranitha Liyanarachchi and Josephian seamer Fabian Fernando will add the saintly touch to the Tamil Union attack. Former Trinity captains, Ron Chandragupta and Dinuk Wickramanayake will fight hard for places in the starting XI despite being match-winners on any given day.
Head Coach
One time Sebastanite batsman, Nishantha Weerasinghe has been given the duties of coaching the Tamil Union squad this season. The 44-year old has wealth of experience due to his past coaching stints at Colts CC, Lankan CC and St. Peter’s College. Renowned to be a great tactician, Nishantha will work his magic with his friendly gesture with the players yet his aggressive coaching techniques can win many games from difficult positions.
Full Squad
Jeewan Mendis – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Chanaka Welagedara – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Medium Fast
TM Dilshan – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Rangana Herath – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Spin
Suranga Lakmal – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Kithruwan Vithanage – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Ramith Rambukwella – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Shaminda Eranga – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Nisala Tharaka – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Rumesh Buddhika – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Pabasara Waduge – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Chamikara Edirisinghe – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Spin
Hashane Ramanayake – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Manoj Sarathchandra – Right Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
Imal Liyanage – Left Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
Isuru Buddhika – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Minhaj Jaleel – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Dinuk Wickramanayke – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Matheesha Perera – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Spin
Devind Pathmanathan – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Spin
Ranitha Liyanarachchi – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Fabian Fernando – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Ron Chandragupta – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Spin
Cricket Club Previews – Tamil Union CC – Captain
Cricket Club Previews – Tamil Union CC – Coach
