One of the leading teams in the current schools cricket circuit, Thurstan College 2014/15 outfit is keenly poised to break the 23-year old hoodoo in their 52nd annual big match against Isipathana College on 27th and 28th February at SSC grounds.
Bit of History:
Thurstan College has- been playing cricket since 1950s and they have produced many champion teams in the past, such as being the best cricket team of the island in the 2007/2008 season under all-rounder Umesh Karunarathne’s leadership. Last season, they won the under 19 schools limited-overs championship under Minhaj Jaleel’s captaincy. Amitha De Costa, Niroshan Bandaratilleke, Hemantha Boteju have represented Sri Lanka after learning the basics from Thurstan College. The boys in Blue, Red, Gold registered their last ‘Big Match’ victory way back in 1992.
Key Players:
Stylish and dependable leg-spinning all-rounder Thimira Jayasinghe has been the main pillar of strength for the Thurstanites leading an exciting squad of players including 9 coloursmen. Thimira has stroked over 600 runs with 2 centuries under his belt. Jayasinghe’s effective leg spinners have claimed over 40 wickets up to date. Thimira’s leadership has been very influential on his team’s success.
Vice-captain and all-rounder Charana Nanayakkara has been a great match-winner for Thurstan over the past years and this season, his medium pacers have been impressive to take close to 20 wickets and he has powered his way to over 400 runs this season. Wicket-keeper and the opening batsman, Kasun Abeyrathne has been successful in giving good starts for his team and has scored over 400 runs this season.
2nd year coloursmen, Thilan Gunarathne steadies the ship in the middle order with his experience and elegant strokeplay. Isuru Fernando has struck over 500 runs this season and he is another vital cog in the Thurstan batting lineup. 4th year coloursmen, Senal Wijesinghe is another experienced campaigner and his slow left-arm spinners have not been very effective like the previous seasons. Left-arm spinner, Naveen Gunawardene playing his first season has already notched up over 50 wickets and he is assured to play a big part in the Thurstan’s plans for the big match. Off-spinner Ayesh Weerarathne’s ability to take wickets at regular intervals makes him a potent threat to any opposition.
2014/15 Season:
Thurstan currently holds a place in the top three of the under 19 division one points table and they have registered 6 outright wins this season against defending champions, Richmond College, Maliyadeva College, Wesley College, Dharmapala College, Maris Stella College and Carey College. From their 6 wins, 4 matches have been won with more than an innings to spare. Thurstan have managed to outclass 6 schools on first-innings wins as well.
Young Players:
Off-spinner Dilan Madusanka has been a revelation for Thurstan College this season capturing 25 wickets and left-hander Imesh Viranga can be very dangerous with the bat on any given day and the Isipathana fans would not want him to fire during the final week of February. Medium fast-bowler Navod Samarakoon is another key youngster to look out for in the future.
Coaching Staff:
An umpire by profession, Mr. Saman Hewawitharana is a great tactician with experience of over 25 years in the field of coaching. His greatest stint was at Army SC where he coached the Soldiers for over 10 years. Coaching the Thurstanites for the 2nd consecutive year, he has been superb molding a champion team. Mr. Ranjith Fernando backs up the team as the Master in Charge of the team while Suneth Gunathilake works as the assistant coach.
Full Squad:
Thimira Jayasinghe (Captain) – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Charana Nanayakkara (Vice Captain) – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Isuru Fernando – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Senal Wijesinghe – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Leg Spin
Ayesh Weeraratne – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Thilan Gunaratne – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Nipun Lakshan – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Kasun Abeyrathana – Right Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
Navod Samarakoon – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Rusira Munasinghe – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Off Spin
Dilshan Madushanka – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Leg Spin
Imesh Viranga – Left Hand Bat – Wicket-keeper
Yeshan Wickramarachchi – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Shavinda Samaranayake – Right Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
Naveen Gunewardhana – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Leg Spinner
Sulochana Silva – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medim Fast
Isipathana College 1st XI Cricket Captain
Isipathana College 1st XI Cricket Coach
