Colombo Cricket Club is one of the three clubs that is clustered around the Maitland Crescent area and the acclaimed club has seen the likes of many national players such as the ‘master blaster’ Sanath Jayasuriya, Roshan Mahanama, Chamara Kapugedara and Jehan Mubarak pass through its ranks.
The team was placed 4th in the group stage of last year’s Premier League Tournament and the players are motivated to work harder and perform better in order to prove themselves and take their beloved team to a higher standing.
Dual Responsibility
The experienced left hand batsman Gayan Wijekoon who is set to feature in the team’s middle order takes on the additional role of being the coach of the team. Gayan who hails from Gurukula College is a genuine all rounder who has scored over 8500 first class runs and taken over 250 first class wickets. He has represented Sri Lanka at a national level in the test and twenty20 formats of the game.
He is a player who is respected by his team mates both on and off the field and he believes firmly in his ability to score runs for his side as well as his ability to coach and nurture his team mates.
Acclaimed National Players
The two players to watch out for as far as the team from Maitland Crescent is concerned is the dangerous and consistent Chamara Silva and wicketkeeper batsman Prasanna Jayawardene.
Chamara Silva has represented Sri Lanka in every format of the game and has scored a gigantic total of more than 10000 first class runs which comprises 62 half centuries and 27 centuries. Known for his consistency and his magnificent cover drives, he will definitely be a player who will add great value to the Colombo Cricket Club team.
Prasanna Jayawardene who made his test debut against Pakistan in the year 2000 is a talented cricketer who is held in high esteem by his peers as well as followers of the sport. He has scored over 9000 first class runs and has done immensely well behind the wickets. He has a total of 520 catches and 106 stumpings in first class games and he will look to support his team by adding to his grand total of runs and dismissals.
Batting Attack
Amal Athulathmudali and Lasith Abeyratne who strike a perfect balance between youth and experience take on the pivotal role of opening the batting for the Colombo Cricket Club team. The experienced left hander Athulathmudali has amassed a total of more than 2500 runs which includes a total of 16 half centuries. Lasith Abeyratne who is currently 19 years old has only played a total of 13 matches however he has already scored over 700 runs and he also fills in as the wicketkeeper in the absence of Prasanna Jayawardene.
The team has a strong middle order which includes players of very high standing such as the captain of the side Hasantha Fernando, Chamara Silva, Prasanna Jayawardene, Gihan Rupasinghe and Gayan Wijekoon. All five players have represented our country at a National level and they possess tons of invaluable experience which will undoubtedly play a decisive part in the team’s progress during the 2013/14 premier season.
Bowling Attack
Arosh Janoda and Akalanka Ganegama open the bowling for the team. Both speedsters are over 6ft tall and have the ability to hit the deck hard which is bound to trouble batsmen of even the highest caliber. Ganegama who has represented Sri Lanka in the ODI format of the game and has taken over 200 first class wickets will look to play a key role in his team’s success.
The team also comprises a duo of useful medium pace bowlers namely Hasantha Fernando and Sri Lanka under 23 player Chathuranga Kumara.
The spin attack will be led by left arm leg spinner Dulanjana Mendis who has taken a total of 204 first class wickets (18 five wicket hauls and 11 four wicket hauls). He will be assisted by a group of talented youngsters such as right arm leg spinner Sachithra Perera, left arm chinamen Lakshan Rangika and right arm off spinner and former Sri Lanka under 19 player Maduka Liyanapathirana.
Squad
Hasantha Fernando- Right Hand Batsman- Right Arm Medium Pace Bowler
Amal Athulathmudali- Left Hand Batsman
Chamara Silva- Right Hand Batsman
Prasanna Jayawardene- Right Hand Batsman- Wicket Keeper
Maduka Liyanapathirana- Right Hand Batsman- Right Arm Off Spinner
Arosh Janoda- Right Hand Batsman- Right Arm Fast Bowler
Gayan Wijekoon- Left Hand Batsman- Left Arm Medium Fast Bowler
Akalanka Ganegama- Right Hand Batsman- Right Arm Fast Bowler
Gihan Rupasinghe- Left Hand Batsman
Chathuranga Kumara- Right Hand Batsman- Right Arm Medium Fast Bowler
Lasith Abeyrathna- Right Hand Batsman- Wicket Keeper
Sameen Kandanearachchi- Right Hand Batsman- Wicket Keeper
Dulanjana Mendis- Right Hand Batsman- Left Arm Leg Spinner
Lakshan Rangika- Right Hand Batsman- Left Arm Chinamen
Sachithra Perera- Right Hand Batsman- Right Arm Leg Spinner
Asad Agireen- Right Hand Batsman
Geshan Wimaladharma- Left Hand Batsman- Right Arm Off Spinner
Dilesh Buddhika- Left Hand Batsman- Left Arm Fast Bowler
Assistant Coach- Manjula Priyantha
Manager- Nishantha De Silva
The Papare takes this opportunity to wish the Colombo Cricket Club team the very best for the 2013/14 Premier Season.
