Playing the game of the gentlemen throughout the decades, St. Benedict`s College has ascended through the cinders and have proved to be one of the threatening outfits in the school cricketing franchise with seven coloursmen within the outfit for this season.
A bit of History
Concluding their 2013 season as the runner-up in the limited overs encounter the Mayfield Road lads are one of the better sides in the school cricket season 2014/15. Yet, as climbing down ill is easy and climbing up is hard; the Benedictines too hit a rough patch. Recovering from a satisfactory performance last season under the captaincy of Yohan Zoysa the Mayfield lads could only secure two outrights. They walked in despair in the limited overs tournament as they lost the pre-quarter finals to Ananda College, Colombo while they were eliminated in preliminary rounds in the T20 tournament.
Season thus far
Having completed half of the fixtures St. Benedict’s College has secured 2 outright wins against Wesely College, Colombo and St. Aloysius College, Galle while securing a single first innings victory against Anuaradhapura Central College. The rest of the matches ended in a draw.
Key Players
Playing in the opening slot skipper Mahel Jayalath has done justice to the boys trailing him. Being a colossal contributor in the two outrights that they have gained so far, he has scored 418 runs with 6 half centuries under his belt. The stylish left hand batsman has proved himself as a key player who will be holding the responsibility of setting the platform for the rest of his batsman to evolve around.
3rd year coloursmen Janindu Karunathileke who is yet to find touch this season will follow up the captain to strengthen the middle order. Playing his cricket at the Colombo Cricket Club U-23 side he is expected to be a threatening left hander for the opposition once he is in tune. Scoring only 2 half centuries the lads will foresee the talents of their experienced campaigner soon.
Passing the three figure mark twice while remaining not out on both the occasions, Nimesh Fonseka has been the outright performer of the outfit. Playing in the fifth slot on the batting card this elegant right hand batsman will be anchor of the innings if the top order fails to do the task and he has proved himself best at it. While being the game finisher he also chips himself as a part timer with his right-arm off spin action and will indeed help to slow down the momentum of the opposition.
While Mahel, Janindu and Nimesh strengthen the batting department Geethika Chandeepa will be the bowlers to watch-out for. He is a handy customer to deal with as he already has 5 five wicket hauls against the rest of the contenders in the season. Playing a crucial role in the 2 outrights he got 2 of the 5 wicket hauls in them leading the side into a victorious stand.
Youngsters to watch for
Playing the debut year of first eleven school cricket Geethal Fernando has proved himself to be a trust worthy asset in the years to unfold. The opening bowler of the attack he has captured 4 five wicket hauls and given the batsman the long way back to the dressing room. With a bowling style of Right Arm Medium Pace he is able to swing the ball both ways causing loads of trouble for the batsmen.
Coaching Staff
Vivian Saverimuthupulle will be the man-in-charge of the Mayfield Road lads for this season. Holding the experience of being a former captain of the college, he has been functioning as both master-in-charge as well as assistant coach for the past eight years. Taking on the side just before the season kick started, his target is to guide the Benedictines for 5 outright wins and they have secured two already.
In their own words
We questioned the skipper Mahel Jayalath about the sudden change of the coaching staff and he shares his thoughts with ThePapare.com “We have been playing cricket since we were thirteen years old and the game is already in our blood so I don’t think that the change will affect us in negative perspective. If we carry our talents forward I believe we could close down this season in a positive manner”
Questioning the coach on the areas to improve he expresses his thoughts with ThePapare.com “We need a little bit more commitment towards fielding. I think our fielding has let us down in one or two crucial games and critical stages of the match so if we can brush up fielding probably we could do even better”.
Full Squad with disciplines
Mahel Jayalath (Captain) – Left Hand Batsman – Right Arm Medim Fast
Janidu Karunathileke (Vice-Captain) – Wicket-Keeper
Geethaka Chnadeepa – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Sithum Wijesinghe – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Nimesh Fonseka – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Navod Abeysinghe – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Ruwinda Niwunhella – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Leg Spin
Ruvishka Thiagarajah – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Madushan Kuleratene – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Geethal Fernando – Right Hand Bat – Right Hand Fast
Purna Chanuka – Right Hand Bat – Right Hand Medium Fast
Vittorio Roberto – Right Hand Bat –
Thulina Dilshan – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Chathura Sumanathileke – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Medium Pace
Thenuka Silva – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
St. Benedict’s College 1st XI Cricket Captain
St. Benedict’s College 1st XI Cricket Coach
