Isipathana College cricket team 2014/15 with a fine blend of youth and experience is hoping to make strides in the inter-school arena and to unleash their ‘Green’ power in the 52nd annual cricket encounter with Thurstan College on 27th and 28th February at SSC grounds.
Bit of History:
With a rich cricketing history over 50 years, Isipathana College has always been a consistent performer with the red cherry and willow. Isipathana have 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 51 traditional encounters with Thurstan College, Isipathana has the privilege of making the last win in 1999.
Key Players:
The 4th year coloursmen, Chameera Dissanayake is the captain of the team and he has taken 50 wickets with his slow left-arm spin and has scored over 400 runs this season to lead his team with excellence. The vice-captain and the leading batsman of the team, Salinda Ushan is the biggest key to the Isipathana success as he is one of the most accomplished batsmen in the current under 19 age category. He made terrific contributions to his country against Bangladesh recently and he is earmarked to represent Sri Lanka one day. The left-handed Salinda has managed to score over 600 runs in 11 games this season.
The 17-year old left-hander Pramod Maduwantha is the leading run-getter for Isipathana this season with over 650 runs and he is another key player for Isipathana in the upcoming big-match against Thurstan College. Wicket-keeper batsman, Vishad Randika performed superbly for Sri Lanka under 19s against the Bangladesh counterparts and his all-round ability in the field of play will be an added advantage for the boys in green. Seamer, Shehan Sandaruwan is the spearhead of the side and has taken more than 35 wickets this season.
2014/15 Season:
Isipathana has been extremely impressive this season as a unit and they have won 5 games outright against, Moratu Vidyalaya, Vidyartha College, St. Aloysious College, Bandaranayake College and President’s College, Kotte. They have had the pleasure of taking home the first-innings points in crunch games against, St. Peter’s College, St. Sebastian’s College, Zahira College, Mahanama College, Lumbini College, St. Servatius College and Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya. Most importantly, the Pathanians have been unbeaten this season.
Young Players:
One of the biggest assets, Isipathana poses are their young players in the form of Ayana Siriwardene, Sanjula Abeywickrama and Senal Deelaka who have been tremendous with the bat. Left-arm spinner Yomesh Ranasinghe has captured close to 30 wickets and has played a pivotal role in the success of Isipathana including the services of all-rounder Davis Imesha.
Coaching Staff:
The 31-year old all-rounder from Lumbini College, Pradeep Nishantha has represented first-class cricket for Saracens SC. He started his cricket coaching career at Lumbini College and then at St. Servatius College before joining Isipathana College. Mr. R. Ranaweera does his job as Master-in-Charge while Kelum Ranaweera and J Nilaweera have done their job as the assistant coaches of the team.
Full Squad:
Chameera Dissanayake (Captain) – Right Hand Bat- Left Arm Leg Spin
Salinda Ushan (Vice Captain) – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Pramod Maduwantha – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Kalana Perera – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Vishad Randika – Right Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
Shehan Sandaruwan – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Praneeth Dias – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Yomesh Ranasinghe – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Leg Spin
Sanjula Abeywickrama – Left Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
Senal Deelaka – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium
Dilshan De Silva – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Venushka Chamal – Right Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
Tharindu Nimesha – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Sanjula Bandara – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Davis Imesha – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Ayana Siriwardena – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Isipathana College 1st XI Cricket Captain
Isipathana College 1st XI Cricket Coach
