Giant of Lankan domestic cricket – Sinhalese Sports Club

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SSC as one of the oldest and strongest sports clubs holds some of the richest traditions and boasts of patronage by the hierarchy of Colombo to be the giant of Lankan domestic cricket circuit and tipped as one of the favourites to win the 2014/15 Premier League Trophy. 

A Bit of History

SSC was formed in 1899 and they have produced 6-7 Sri Lankan cricket captains after gaining Test status in 1975. In the last 10 World cups played by Sri Lanka 7 of them were captained by SSC Club members, starting from Anura Tennakoon, Dulip Mendis, Arujuna Ranathunga and more recently Mahela Jayawardena. They have successfully won the Premier League Trophy thrice in the past decade and they won the Premier Limited Overs Championship last 2013/14 season before losing to Colts CC during the recently concluded tournament in the current season.

Key Players

SSC is renowned as the ‘inputting system’ to the Sri Lanka national grid and one of the bright, young and stylish left-handers, Dimuth Karunarathne has been bestowed the honour of leading the SSC outfit this season. The 26-year old stamped his class in the International stage through his patient and hard-working 152 against New Zealand in Christchurch last week and he is one of the greatest assets to SSC since his debut in 2008 and has scored close to 6000 runs in his first-class career since then.

Due to Dimuth’s national commitments, the old cog of SSC, Thilina Kandamby will lead the Maitland Place club and he is a vastly experienced player as a middle-order batsman. Legend Mahela Jayawardene still does not fail to play for his club during his available time and his experience and game sense provides unlimited opportunities to the younger brigade. Test opener Kaushal Silva is another stalwart in the SSC lineup and his tally of nearly 10,000 first-class runs speaks the volume of his contribution to the club.

Left-hand duo of Tharanga Paranavithana and Danushka Gunathilake stabilizes the batting order with their classical run-making strength. Paranavithana made 243 runs in 8 innings during the limited overs tournament. Another big name in the SSC middle order is Chamara Kapugedara with his notable form recently and he will be itching to put up big scores.

The fast-bowling barrage is in the safe hands of Dhammika Prasad, Dilhara Fernando, Charith Jayampathi and Kasun Madusanka as they can bowl with good pace on a hard SSC deck.  Off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake was more than useful during the short stint last month after remodeling his action which enabled him to get back to international cricket.

Young & New Blood

The tall and lanky fast bowler Binura Fernando has been the most important young addition to the SSC squad. He is a definite future prospect for Sri Lanka with his accurate left-arm seamers. Fast-bowling all-rounder Thisara Perera has crossed over from Colts CC and his inclusion balances the composition of the outfit. SSC has recruited many youngsters to the club to bring-up new cricketing talents. Leg-spinners, Jeffrey Vandersey and Sanka Ramesh can be wicket-takers during the three-day format while Sri Lanka youth players, Kavindu Kulasekara and Minod Bhanuka have the ability to be long standing servants of SSC cricket in the future.

Head Coach

SSC has appointed Kapila Weerasinghe as their head coach this season. He was the assistant coach at SSC for over 4 years before he was assigned as the head coach of the champion under 23 team this year and the cricket committee has credited him for his success with the coaching assignment with their premier team. Kapila is a former Thurstanite and has played domestic cricket for SSC.

Full Squad

Dimuth Karunarathne – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin

Thilina Kandamby – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin

Danushka Gunathilake – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin

Tharanga Paranavithana – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin

Mahela Jayawardene – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin

Kaushal Silva – Right Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper

Chamara Kapugedara – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin

Dhammika Prasad – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast

Dilhara Fernando – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast

Thisara Perera – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast

Minod Bhanuka – Left Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper

Sachithra Senanayake – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin

Dasun Shanaka – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast

Kasun Madusanka – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast

Charith Jayampathi – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Medium Fast

Binura Fernando – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Medium Fast

Jeffrey Vandersey – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin

Sanka Ramesh – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin

Ramesh Mendis – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin

Kavindu Kulasekara – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin


Cricket Club Previews – SSC – Coach 

Cricket Club Previews – SSC – Captain