ThePapare.com looked in to the first XI cricket team of St. Anthony’s College, Kandy which throughout the years has produced several champion teams and cricketing legends such as world renowned Muttiah Muralitharan.
Antonian cricket runs back to early 1900s. Reverend Fr. Andrew Vanlangenberg O.S.B. introduced the sport to the college and the first ever school’s cricket match was played with Dharmaraja College Kandy, in which Antonians recorded a 109 run victory.
Throughout the years they have been a formidable force in Sri Lankan school’s cricketing arena. In the last season they showed average performances. The big match against Trinity College was drawn and they lost the limited over encounter.
This season the team had both ups and downs, losing only to Mahanama, St. Anthony’s has won a couple of first innings against high riding Royal College and Ananda College. We witnessed a high scoring game against Nalanda College which ended up as a draw. The team consists of many talented youngsters who have more years at school cricketing.
Captain Nimesha Gunasinghe – The allrounder coloursman to lead the Antonians. The top order Right Handed batsman and offspinner Nimesha is one of the few senior players in Antonian lineup. He’s closing in on 500 runs and 30 wickets.
He shared his thoughts with us: “Leading a much more junior team, I’m really impressed with the performances each and every player has put up. Though we haven’t made a huge impact on the game, our individual performances have been good and appreciable. The boys are working really hard for the upcoming matches and we are striving towards some wins this season and then, we all have our grip on the big match and the one day encounter.”
Kanishka Uggalpaya – The young opener that has more than 500 runs for his name proves that the future of antonian cricket is good. The 16 years old Kanishka has at least 3 years ahead for his school cricket career. He scored a century against Nalanda College this season.
Amongst other promising batsmen Pulasthi Bandara and Mohammed Alfar have scored around 400.
Antonians are relying on a spin bowling attack, Offspinner Nimesha and Legspinner Udith Mahindrarathe has contributed with around 25 wickets each, Kavinda Udapola and Buwaneka Wijethunge are among the other good spinners.
Coach, Mr. Tharaka Gunerathne the 1997 Antonian captain and eagle overtook the 1st XI coaching this year. He has played 1st class cricket at Bloomfield for 12 years and has played in England Premier League for 10 years. He believes that the team has talented young cricketers who have a bright future ahead; his aim is to mend them to excel Antonian Cricket.
Most anticipated encounters they are about to come across would be the Murali-Vass Trophy, the 100 year old encounter against St. Joseph’s College and the match against St. Benedict’s College which is also a traditional fixture. The big match against Trinity College will be held on the mid March.
On the final note, a capable team consisting of fine youngsters; they have had both ups and downs in this season. Given enough time and exposure the young team will definitely drive Antonian Cricket to greater heights. May the “Lux De Coelo” shine upon them.
Upcoming Fixtures
Jan 31st, Feb 1st- D.S.Senanayake College Colombo.-Away
Feb 7th 8th- St.Benadict’s College Kotahena-Away
Feb 14th 15th St.Joseph’s College Colombo-Away
Feb 21st 22nd St.Peter’s College Colombo-Home
March 14th 15th – Trinity College (Big Match) -Away
22nd Limited over – Home
Squad
Nimesha Gunasinghe RAOS RHB (C)
Buwaneka Wijethunge RALS LHB (VC)
Dillan Bandara RAOS RHB
Damithra Panditharathne RALS RHB
Kavinda Udapola RALS RHB
Kanishka Uggalpaya WK LHB
Mohammed Alfar WK RHB
Pulasthi Bandara WK LHB
Uditha Mahindarathne LALS RHB
Nimesh Wanasinghe RAOS LHB
Yapa Bandara RAOS LHB
Prasad Premarathne RAOS RHB
Prabodha Bandara RAF LHB
Chalana Salgado RHB
Dilanka Wijerathne RAF RHB
Dananjaya Weragoda RHB
Sunera Jayasinghe RAF RHB
Sachira Wijesinghe RAF RHB
Janidu Himsara RAF RHB
Dilan Kavinda RAF RHB
Hasitha Chandrarathne WK LHB
Mohammed Munas LHB
