Nondescript Cricket Club registered their first domestic title last season since 2001 and they are well-prepared to defend the championship in what would be an enthralling Premier League Tournament 2014/15 in the coming months.
Bit of History
NCC holds rich traditions and self-esteem as one of the best sports clubs in Sri Lanka. It was founded in 1888. The name “Nondescript” is derived from the fact it was intended to be open to anyone unlike other Colombo-based clubs. The home of batting legends, Aravinda De Silva and Kumar Sangakkara, NCC was in the peak of their form in 1950s as they won the P. Saravanamuttu Trophy 5 times in one decade. Situated in the heart of Colombo, NCC had a superb 2013/14 season winning the Premier League and ending as runner-up during the limited-overs tournament.
Key Players
Discarded from both Sri Lanka ODI and Test teams, experienced left-hander Upul Tharanga is a strong leader who knows his business of winning titles and the club authorities have casted faith in him to deliver the goods this season as well. The 29-year old has scored close to 7000 first-class runs in a long career of over a decade. He scored over 500 runs last season in 8 matches with a healthy average of 43 and made 255 runs in the recently concluded 50-over tourney as well.
National stars like Kumar Sangakkara, Lasith Malinga and Dinesh Chandimal will not be playing much cricket for their club this season with many international commitments in the months to come.
One of the strongest soldiers in the NCC troop is Jehan Mubarak. The tall and lanky left-handed batsman had a dream first-class season in the previous year accumulating 1165 runs and being the only batsman to cross 1000-run mark in the season. He scored a staggering 6 centuries in 10 games and held a fabulous average of 105.00.
Talented yet unpolished gem, Angelo Perera has the ability to tear apart any bowling attack with his unique style of batting and he has already gone past 3000 first-class runs in his short career. Wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella will add balance into the NCC machine with his flair and run-making ability.
Newly debuted off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal is the main attacking weapon in the NCC bowling armoury as he is a genuine wicket-taker and has an impressive bowling average of 23 in first-class cricket. Undisputed slow left-arm genius of Sohan Boralessa will continue to add the much needed variety to the attack. All-rounder Farveez Maharoof will lead the fast-bowling squadron with the experienced Chaminda Vidanapathirana.
New & Young Blood
NCC has always been a youngster’s grooming place. Two of the most accomplished school boy cricketers, Sandun Weerakkody and Pawan Devinda have been added to the NCC squad to start up their first-class cricket careers. Sandun is an old boy at Dharmaraja College, Kandy while Pawan made tons of runs at Mahanama College. Fast-bowler Dushmantha Chameera came to the Sri Lanka limelight through NCC after having an average school career at Maris Stella College. He has the ability to bowl at a raw-pace around 140kmph. Leg-spinner Saranga Rajaguru is also another young talented all-rounder who can play a huge role towards the success of NCC. Incidentally they have retained almost all of their players from last season.
Head Coach
One of the unluckiest yet most talented left-handed top order batters in late 90s, Sajith Fernando has once again been given the coaching job at NCC. With an experience of 193 first-class matches, Sajith is one of the few players to have scored over 10,000 runs in their first-class careers. His great knowledge of the game and his friendly approach towards the players makes him one of the most successful coaches in Sri Lanka.
Full Squad
Upul Tharanga – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Kumar Sangakkara – Left Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
Dinesh Chandimal – Right Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
Lasith Malinga – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Jehan Mubarak – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Angelo Perera – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Spin
Tharindu Kaushal – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Niroshan Dickwella – Left Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
Sohan Boralessa – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Orthodox Spin
Farveez Maharoof – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Chaminda Vidanapathirana – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Dushmantha Chameera – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Pawan Devinda – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Sandun Weerakkody – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Saranga Rajaguru – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Cricket Club Previews – NCC – Captain
