Mahanama College ending their 16 matches of the school cricket league are all set with morale to match up against the defending champions of the Battle of the Golds; the Dons.
A bit of a history
Mahanama College playing themselves as fair performers of the gentlemen`s game all time ended up in the 14th position of the points table last season. Having honors of producing players who represented the Sri Lankan U-19 squad back to back in three years Mahanama College has been one of the consistent performers of the game. Dhanushka Gunathileke represented Sri Lanka U-19 in the year 2010 while Duleepa Thissakutti represented in 2012 and Pathum Devinda represented in the year 2013.
Season thus far
Playing sixteen matches in the season Mahanama College has recorded four outright wins against Pannipitiya Dharamapala College, Gampaha Bandaranayeke College, St.Silvester`s College, Kandy and President`s College Kotte. They have four first innings wins as the weather halted many of their fixtures.
Key players
Skipper leading the side upfront this season has scored 550 runs strengthening the middle order of the batting line up. This elegant left hander has contributed himself in crucial partnerships to help the team cross many times. Scoring four half centuries with in the season he is yet to score a century in the season. Also chipping in as a part time bowler he has captured 20 wickets and have bowled well at vital times of the innings.
Sachin Peris playing in the opening slot of the batting card has provided the ideal start needed for the outfit more than a couple of times and has scored 710 runs this season. Scoring four half centuries this season he is yet to score a hundred as he was unlucky that one time when he got out of ninety nine runs with one run short which could have been moment to cherish for the rest of his career.
Dulanjana Seneviratene capturing 89 wickets this time around stands as the highest wicket taker of the entire season. Bowling in the middle overs he has been the lethal weapon of the Mahanama bowling attack. Contributing in all the outright wins he has three five wicket hauls. Spinning the bowl off his right arm he will be the man to break perfect partnerships and rattle out the opposition at any given time of the innings.
As Dulanjana captures the wickets from one end, Dinuka Karunananada has been tightening the screws from the other end and he has been nothing but a faithful partner to Dulanjana. Capturing 32 wickets this season he has two five wicket hauls under his name. Both of these spinners will be a treat to watch in the upcoming big match against a strong batting line up of the Gregory road lads.
Youngsters to watch out for
Playing in his debut year in first XI cricket he has proved himself as a bowler to watch out for in the upcoming years. Playing only in seven matches out of the 16 matches played he has captured 22 wickets under his name with a hat-trick against Pannipitiya Dharmapala College. Opening the bowling attack for the outfit with his pace he has definitely caused uncertainty in the batsman`s mind swinging the bowl both ways.
Coaching Contingent
Priyantha Dissanayake taking up the assignment of mentoring the side for this season has done a commendable job with in the period of eight months as he started his coaching episode in Mahanama College. Having vast experience on the field of coaching he began his career as a coaching the Moratuwa College and then moved on to coach Mahanama eight months ago.
In their own words
The skipper answering our question on his views of the upcoming cricket encounter “Well they have a strong batting line up but we have performed well in the season and we have with us the highest wicket taker of the season so pressure I just another word for us”.
Coach Priyantha Dissanayake sharing his views with ThePapare.com “We have four outright wins this season and my boys are in a good stated mentally so as the coach of the side I believe that we could bring back the shield to the school this time around”.
Full squad with disciplines
Subbudhi Kaushalya – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Kalindu Lakshana – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Dulanjana Seneviratene – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Dinuka Karunananda – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Leg Spin
Sahan Peris – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Niduka Welikala – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medim Fast
Thanula Wickramasinghe – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Kavindu Munasinghe – Right Hand Bat – Wicket-keeper
Malinda Maduranga – Right Hand Bat – Wicket-keeper
Dilshan Dhananjaya – Right Hand Bat – Wicket-keeper
Khanishka Gimhan – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Leg Spin
Thiwanka Ranasinghe – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Pivuthuru Hasaral – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Shenuka Herath – Right Hand Bat- Right Arm Off Spin
Charun Mahela – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Vihan Senura – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Thimalka Madushanka – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Ishaara Rashmika – Right Hand Bat – Wicket-keeper
Sandun Bandara – Left Hand Bat- Right Arm Off Spin
Milinda Abesysuriya – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Prasanna Dissanayake – Coach
Subuddhi Kaushalya – Captain
