Will Ruwantha and his lads hunt the Big-Match trophy for Kingswood?

By Nisal Chandrasekara

This is an introductory preview of the Kingswood Under 19 Cricket team who will play the 110th annual encounter for the College.

The Kingswood First XI Cricket Team 2015/16

Introduction

Being disappointed by results of the “Battle of the Maroons” encounters in the past few years, Kingswood under the captaincy of Ruwantha Hathurusinghe are trying to bounce back and annihilate the vigorous Rajans in their 110^th annual big-match which is to be held at the Pallekele International Cricket stadium on 18^th and 19^th   March 2016.

A Retrospect  

Founded by Sir L.E.Blaze in 1891, Kingswood from its inception became an eminent school that introduced many sports including the oval shaped game “Rugby” to the nation.

Cricket in this school too runs way back to the 1890’s where according to the available records they have played their first big match in 1893. The Kingswood team was captained by A.E. Spencer and the Dharmaraja College team was captained by the great educationist, late Sir Don Baron Jayathilake, It was played at the Bogambara Stadium, which is no longer a cricket venue. 

Renowned as the oldest cricket encounter in the Central Province, the two schools have played 109 matches so far out of which Dharmaraja College lead the tally with 35 victories while Kingswood right behind them registering 19. The rest of the games have been ended up in tame draws.

Throughout its long journey of cricket, Kingswood have produced many outstanding players in the caliber of Nishitha Rupasinghe to represent Sri Lanka ‘A’ team while Suwanji Madanayake and Lakshitha Madushan to represent first class cricket. Sri Lanka under 15 player Niroshan Perera toured overseas in 2005 and the recent favourite Tharindu Liyanage was selected to the under 17 national squad in 2012. Having won the last game in 1958 under the then “school-boy cricketer” Maurice Fernando, Kings are trying to come back strongly with an experienced team to thump Rajans and grab the T.B.Tennakoon Memorial Challenge trophy this year. 

Season so far

The Kingswood lads played extraordinary cricket especially in their first few matches nevertheless the inclement weather disrupted the games those were to end up in their favour. Making a commendable progress after a long pause, they recorded one outright victory against Carey College, Colombo and two first innings wins against St.Anne’s College, Kurunegala and St.John’s College, Jaffna. They have posted some challenging performance in the rest of their games. 

Speaking to “Kingswood Haka” and “Cricket Feelings”, the head coach of the First XI team Mr.Indika Fernando said that it is easy for him to mentor the side as the outfit consists of many consummate players who have loads of experiences.

“It is not difficult for me to guide the team as everyone is aware of his responsibilities. Most of the players have at least one big-match experience”, he further stated.

“Cricket feelings” did not forget to have a chat with the skipper too. Sharing his ideas with us, Ruwantha said that his pivotal task is to bring glory to his alma-mater in its quasquicentennial anniversary

 

“We are celebrating our 125^th anniversary in our school this year. We would indeed be rapturous if we win this encounter and add more colours to our splendor”, he expressed. 

( video attached below )

 

Kings have come across a number of vicissitudes throughout their season and they do look forward to perform well on the big-day.  

Key players

Ruwantha Hathurusinghe - Captain

4^th year player Ruwantha Hathurusinghe is the skipper of the side. The aggressive middle order batsman has scored 340 runs in this season with well-earned a ton against St.Anne’s College, Kurunegala. He is the regular wicket keeper of the team.

Ruwantha in action

Meedum Weerasinghe

Left-handed Meedum Weerasinghe is the most successful batsman of their team. He is the opening batsman who will take the initial step to heap runs. The 3^rd year coloursman has scored 558 runs that comprised an unbeaten knock of 102 against D.S.Senanayake College, Colombo along with one half-century.

                                 

                       Tharindu Liyanage

                                                       

Being a key component of the outfit, all-rounded Tharindu Liyanage plays a major role in the top order. He also provides much needed break-throughs whenever possible with his accurate off break bowling. He is a 5^th year coloursman and the most experienced player of the side.                                                               

Avishka Chandrasiri – Vice Captain

The speedster is not at his best in this tournament. He has claimed 17 wickets so far with a five-wicket haul against St.Sylvester’s College, Kandy. He has also proved that he is capable of batting at late order when his statistics appear 297 runs with an undefeated 66 against the same opposition.

Vimukthi Wijesiriwardane

Vimukthi serves as the main strike bowler of the camp. He has claimed 45 scalps with a best bowling figure of match-bag-11 wickets for 87 runs against St.John’s College, Panadura. His right handed cautious batting would succor to find some runs.

The Three Departments

The aggregates of batting, bowling and fielding departments have been moderate in this season. They will keep trying to be consolidated in all the three sections.

Batting

Meedum Weerasinghe who has been the top scorer in their team for three consecutive years will open the batting with right handed hard-hitting Upamal Heenkenda. They believe that the left hand-right hand combination would propel a decent start for them to lay the foundation as usual.

The star-studded Tharindu Liyanage will be accustomed to the situations and exploit his experience of playing four big matches for the college. Ruwantha will serve as the anchor of the outfit. His responsibility would be to stay unvanquished on one end and build up partnerships with the tail-enders. Vimukthi, along with the “little master” Dilshan Walisundara would generally like to play marathon innings. They reckon that the proficient middle order will assist them to get to a formidable score.

Bowling

The left arm orthodox bowling of the all-rounded Vimukthi has contributed immensely towards the accomplishments of the team in this year. He will be required to keep on bowling long spells from one end.

Providentially, the last year’s captain Liyanage has bounced back and got into his rhythm again. Showing reasons to keep hope, the off spinner has swiftly captured 27 scalps after being wicket-less in the first few games.

The pace bowling of the deputy skipper Avishka Chandrasiri has provided key wickets of their opponents in this tournament. He will be used in the middle sessions of the game to attack the batsman when they look to be easy-going.

After having recuperated from a serious back injury, Thuthila Herath has pegged back the batsmen with his tight fast bowling. The genuine leg spin of Salinda Dharmasena will also be bothersome for the opposition. 

Fielding

The fielding of the team on par and undoubtedly they have progressed due to fruitful practice sessions that have boosted up their fitness and stamina. They will look to not afford any mistakes in the game and make full use of the half chances that may come their way.

26^th Limited Over Encounter

The 50-overs game between the two schools will be held on 27^th March at the same venue. After three back to back victories registered by Dharmaraja, they lead the tally with 14 wins out of 25 games played so far. Kingswoodians have won 11 whilst one game has been concluded with no decision. 

Final Words

The sole anticipation of the boys from Randles Hill is to be victorious in the 110^th annual encounter and to grab the T.B.Tennakoon Memorial Challenge Trophy from the grasp of Rajans.

We wish them all the best to perform well at the big match and at the one day game and to secure the prolonged spirit of this Gentlemen’s game with excellent sportsmanship.