Bit of history
With a rich cricketing history of over 50 years, Isipathana College has always been a consistent performer with the red cherry and willow. Isipathana has produced many great cricketers such as Jayantha Paranathala, Asoka De Silva, Asantha De Mel, Sanjeewa Weerasinghe, Asanka Gurusinghe, Suresh Perera and Nuwan Zoysa in the past. Since the inception, Isipathana never owned a cricket ground of their own but yet they have been a competitive and dominant force in Sri Lanka schools’ cricket. After 52 traditional encounters with Thurstan College, Isipathana is the last to win the encounter outright in 1999.
Season so far
Isipathana has been one of the best teams in the competition and have had a fabulous season so far. After 18 games they have managed 13 first innings victories with 3 outright victories against Dharmasoka, Holycross and Anuradhapura Central and only 2 first innings losses to Trinity and Prince of Wales.
Key players
Fifth year coloursman, Salinda Ushan is the skipper of the team and has a wealth of experience to offer. The left handed opening batsmen was the deputy of the team last year and has taken the reins as the Captain for the 2015/16 season. He has missed most of the season due to Sri Lanka U19 commitments and so will be raring to go for the kill at the all-important big match. Wicket keeper batsman Vishad Randika also missed out on most of the season as he joined his skipper in representing the country at the U19 world cup. Like Ushan, Vishad will be looking to make up for the missed time and will look to make a mark in this annual encounter.
Left hand batsman Sanjula Abeywickrama has piled up 1200 runs already this season, the 3rd year coloursman is a seasoned campaigner and has been a consistent contributor in this strong Isipathana batting line up. 2nd year batting all-rounder Ayana Siriwardane has accumulated 650 runs this season and has been impressive with the bat.
Left handed batting all-rounder Promod Maduwantha is a 3rd year coloursman and has been an architect of Isipathana’s success this season. He has scored over 800 runs and has 63 wickets to show for his right arm off spin bowling.
Lahiru Dilshan, a 1st year chinaman bowler, has impressed with 70 wickets in his maiden season and is the leading wicket taker of the team. He is well supported by Ivanka who has captured 56 wickets with his right arm leg spin.
Coaching staff
Pradeep Nishantha, the 31-year old all-rounder from Lumbini College, has played first-class cricket for Saracens SC. He started his cricket coaching career at Lumbini College and then moved to St. Servatius College before joining Isipathana College and has molded the current Isipathana team to be a force to be reckoned with; he is ably assisted by Jayath Nilaweera.
Final Say
Isipathana, who have impressed during the school season as one of the top contenders, are strong favourites to win this annual encounter and they will be looking to do just that and renew the history books with an outright win at the big match after 15 long years. Much is expected from their experienced and dynamic batsmen who are among the runs.
