St. Sebastian’s College boasts over 40 years of cricket history. Since then taking a keen interest in the sport Sebastian’s are known to be a strong upcoming cricket team.
Their recent victories in Under 19 as well as Under 17 age categories testify to their current and future strength in the sport.
“I’ve been part of the school cricket team for six years. After adding more experience to my cricketing career in Australia I finally moved back to Sri Lanka three years ago. This is when I joined Sebastian’s College again, but this time as a coach,” remarked the head coach of Sebastian’s College, Nalin Wijesinghe. Initially taking over the team as the junior head coach, Nailin has served as the head coach since 2012.” I was certainly privileged to train the Sebastian’s Cricket Squad taking over the reins from senior coaches such as Frank Cooray, Roshan Peiris, Sanjeeva Silva and many more.”
Currently the team ready to face arch-rivals Prince of Wales in the School big match, has played 7 matches within this season. From which they have achieved one outright victory against Thurstan College. Added to that the team has fared well in the first innings victories. They have already mustered five 1st innings wins. “We will also be facing limited over matches and T20 matches in the coming months. We hope to do better than last season and bring home the victory again,” Nalin Wijesinghe articulated.
The team heading towards the 2014 big match, battling for Sebastian’s College is virtually the same team as last year. The only change is the captainship that shifted from Anushka Fernando to Anuk Fernando. Anuk Fernando as a member of the Under 19 National Cricket Squad and is expected to drive the team towards the maximum performances. Avishka Fernando qualified for the Under 17 cricket national cricket squad while Sangeeth Cooray is another player who has qualified for the Under 23 cricket squad. Kusal Lakthilina can be named as a player who remains in the game throughout and contributed to the team immensely. Jayadewa returned from Australia after his involvement in cricket over there which is a huge advantage to the team.
Being the runners up of Under 17 limited over matches and being champions of Under 19 T20 matches in the previous cricket season, St. Sebastian College is considered a strong cricket side. The fact that St Sebastians became the Under 17 one day runners up unloads a promising cricket future in the coming years. The U 17 side includes many players who are capable of representing the first XI cricket team already. “Sachintha Silva, Sandaruwan Fernando are few of those players who are already part of the Under 17 national squad apart from those who are already part of the under 19 cricket team. So these players can contribute to the cricket team for many years.” Nilan emphasized on the promising cricket future of Sebastian’s.
Among the upcoming players Kusal Lakthilina, Sangeeth Currey, Anuk Fernando as well as Sachintha Silva, Sandaruwan Fernando come from the under 17 squad. “Kusal Lakthilina, Sangeeth Currey, Anuk Fernando are some of them who can make to the international easily with a little more practice.” states the coach.
On to their recent performances, Sangeeth Cooray has scored over 500 runs in this season so far. Anuk Fernando has also fared well exceptionally. Lahiru Heshan, a left hand spinner and Isuru Mendis are leading wicket takers for the season.
The school cricket academy is financially maintained solely by the school and has had a huge impact to St Sebastian’s cricket. “Our principal had always taken a lot interest in the sport which has helped us with the recent achievements. Apart from our Principal, I have to specially remind you of father Ruwan Pradeep and Frank Cooray who are key donors to the cricket academy. They have been with the school and supported the sport continuously for many years. And I’d like to tribute my special gratitude to Nadan and other minor staff who I believe also are great contributors to the sport “ said the coach Wijesinghe
St Sebastian’s are keen on getting back their lost victory at the big match last year. Being focused on that the cricket squad believes they will be able to fare well in the upcoming season with extremely experienced players being part of the team.
Following is the first XI Cricket team of St. Sebastian’s College
1. Luke Jayadewa – batsman
2. Lahiru Heshan – bowler
3. Kusal Lakthilina – all-rounder
4. Avishka Fernando – all-rounder
5. Mudhith Fernando – batsman
6. Shan Fernando – all-rounder
7. Saveen Fernando – all-rounder
8. Viraj Jayaranga – batsman
9. Gayan Silva – batsman
10. Visal Senanyake – all rounder
11. Pramesh Fernando – bowler
12. Sachintha Fonseka – Wicketkeeper, Batsman
13. Sangeeth Coorey – All Rounder
14. Sashika Fernando – All Rounder
15. Sachin Liyanage – Bowler
16. Sachintha Silva – All Rounder
17. Isuru Mendis – All Rounder
