St Peters College is all set up to face their rivals St Joseph’s College in their 81st Annual Battle of the Saints at P’sara Stadium on the 6th and 7th of March. Having close to 90 years of rich history in the school cricket arena, St Peters College has produced great players to our motherland.
This years team has a fine combination of freshers and well experienced players who have done well during this season as well as the previous seasons.
Key players
Cricket is a team game but in every team their are certain players who you look upto to do well for their team. During this season there have been many good performances by almost all the players. There were few among those players who were consistent in helping achieve what they have achieved this year. This years team is captained by third year colorsman and hard hitting right handed middle order batsman Chandula Jayamanna. Chandula struggled in the first half of the season and was forced to drop himself down the order. Later on he found some good form after producing good knocks during tight situations. He has accumulated more than 450 and chipped in with close to 20 wickets bowling his medium pacers. His good run of form would help immensely when they face their rivals. The star with the bat this season was yet again Dineth Thimodya. This hard hitting left handed opening batsman been the most senior in the team produced some marvelous innings this season. Scoring 1000 runs in the last season, he went on his merry way to score another 800 runs this season with two centuries and 4 half centuries under his belt. He is surely the man to get first up if any team wants to restrict this side for a lower score. Dineth was supported well right through the season by his opening partner Didulana Mendis. This stylish left hander accumulated more than 650 runs with 5 half centuries under his name. His consistency surely was great advantage to his team. Despite having the most tiring job of wicketkeeping Lakshina Rodrigo was the other top scorer for the Peterites. With a brilliant century and 4 half centuries he managed to score close to 750 runs in this season. His power would help Peters to bat their way out trouble at any point.
It would be fair enough to say it was the bowlers who made the difference this season for St Peter’s. Their bowling attack was lethal right through out this season in restricting opponents for very low totals. It was somewhat the batters who let down St Peter’s in certain occasions where they dismissed for a cheap score. This bowling attack consists of good speedsters and talented spinners. Bowling attack is led by 2nd year player Vinu Mohotti. His wicket tally of 60 wickets included 3 five wicket hauls and conceding only a very few runs making him the most consistent bowler for St Peters this season. His discipline with the bowl was able to push back most of their opponents and he will play a big role if St Peters are to defeat their rivals St Joesphs. His bowling partner was Taneesha Weerakoon who went pass Vinu in their final match against St Anthonys and became the highest wicket taker this season and the only bowler to get a ten wicket haul this season. His best figures were 11 for 64 runs against Dharmashoka College. His wicket tally of 65 wickets included four five wicket hauls and one ten wicket haul. Ashanth Malka was the other successful spinner for St Peters. Being a new comer this season he managed to bag 53 wickets with 3 five wicket hauls bowling his left leg spinners. He plays a key role in helping Captain Chandula Jayamanna to have his options open.
This season
The Peterites had a great season this year. With 7 outright wins under their belt, the beat star studded schools such as Royal and Trinity convincingly. Especially the win over Trinity College in their own backyard was one of the greatest moments this season. It boosted up their confidence and they did not look back after that win. Their only blemishes this season were when their batting order collapsed against S Thomas’s and Isipathana Colllege. Despite two matches being washed out and above mentioned two first innings loses St Peters dominated proceedings against all other teams.
Youngsters to watch out for
As mentioned before, this team has a good blend of new comers and experienced players. There were a few players who rose up and made their name in the school cricket arena. Ashanth Malka topped this list with more than 50 scalps this season making him the third highest wicket taker for his side. This left arm leg spinner was penalized for an illegal bowling action and was forced to be dropped for a few matches. Credit should be given to him for coming back strong after he was cleared by the authorities. He is also the brother of Lahiru Milantha who also represented St Peters College few years back. It was all about spinners right through out the season for St Peters. The spot light was taken only by the spin bowling attack making the fast bowlers battle hard to make their name out there. Randel Seneviratne got lucky enough to make his name by pulling out some good performances. Been a fresher in the side and the only fast bowler to take a fifer this season he made his presence worth in this strong bowling line up. His partner was Manelka De Silva who is another good prospect for the future.
Coaching Staff
Proud old boy and past Cricketer Keerthi Gunaratne has been their main coach for quiet a long time. He has been of great support in making these young boys mature as good players in cricket. He was well supported by Mr Shanaka Fernando and Mr Kito Fernandopulle who are also old Peterites. Their assistance has been great during this season and last couple of seasons as well. Their mast-in-charge is Mr Wasantha Haputhanthri who has been in that position for so many years. He has done a great service in handling the authorities in school and the Cricket Board. He was also helped by Mr Sanath Perera.
From their own words
Captain Chandula Jayamanna’s Comments on the season
“I’m very happy with performances this season and we have a balanced side, Dineth and Didulana has been among the runs and Vinu and Malka taking wickets for the team”
About the big match
“I’m very confident in winning it, main threats will be their captain Pathum Madusanka and Aravinda Akurugoda”
Coach comments about the season
“Very satisfied with teams performance, the whole team is the key to victory”
About the big match
“We should always play positive cricket, we have a very strong bowling attack, Aravinda Akurugoda will be our main threat”
Full Squad
Chandula Jayamanna (right hand bat, right arm medium pace)
Dineth Thimodya (left hand bat, right arm medium pace)
Vinu Mohotti (right hand bat, right arm off spin)
Hashan Wanasekara ( left hand bat)
Ashanth Malka (right hand bat, left arm leg spin)
Lakshina Rodirigo (right hand bat, wicket keeper)
Didulana Medis (left hand bat,right arm leg spin)
Taneesha Weerakoon (right hand bat, right arm off spin)
Oshan Karunaratna (right hand bat, wicket keeper)
Sachin Dalpethado (right hand bat, left arm chinaman)
Sanjula Madushan (left hand bat)
Savin Gunasekara (right hand bat, right arm off spin)
Randel Seneviratne (left hand bat , right arm fast)
Ravindu Silva (right hand bat,right arm fast)
Reshan Goonawardane (right hand bat, right arm medium pace)
Menelker De Silva (left hand bat, right arm fast)
Dinal Jayakody (right hand bat, left arm leg)
St.Peter’s College 1st XI Cricket Captain – Chandula Jayamanne (2015)
St.Peter’s College 1st XI Cricket Coach – Keerthi Gunarathne (2015)
