Young cricketers of St. Peter’s College have declared to be winners in the current season as they have won all the group matches to date and have retained the group leaders tag from last season. Momentum of the team has been improved with the successful winning rate over the past matches played.
St. Peter’s College missed out on the Champion’s trophy last season as they lost at semifinals and in the Twenty20 finals to Trinity College.
Skipper Dushanth Hemantha, leading run getter for St. Peter’s College told The Papare that the team has a clear opportunity in winning the trophy this year as the balance of the team has been formidable with the solid batting line up and clever bowling attack to continue along with improved individual performances throughout this season. Furthermore, he mentioned that the team has given priority to the upcoming Big Match encounter, the ‘battle of the Saints’ played against the arch rivals, St. Josephs College which will complete 79 years of confrontation in March this year.
“Winning the current tournament will be the prime objective of the team but the big match will be the greatest achievement for all of us” said Hemantha.
The skipper holds the responsibility in anchoring the team as an all-rounder to secure the stability of the team and has exhibited his potential as a captain on taking the team to glory throughout the season. Presently St. Peter’s College has taken the lead in their group and is in a commanding position to win the championship as they have won three outright wins against Isipathana College, De Mazenod College, Sylvester College and two first inning wins against Nalanda college and St. Alosyius College. Added to that, the captain, features as a leg spinner and has under his name 18 scalps this season apart from his skilled batting performances with 457 runs with two tons this season.
During last season St. Peter’s College have won four outright wins and sustained the capability in winning the season with outstanding performances. Similarly this season, the Peterite cricketers have entered the tournament with 8 coloursmen including skipper Dushanth Hemantha (all-rounder), leading wicket taker of this season with 44 scalps to date and vice-captain of the team, Julian De Zilva (leg spin), national under 19 pace bowler with 15 scalps so far, Ranitha Liyanarachchi (pacer). Further there is the player of the series of the Murali Harmony cup last year, Jason Buultjens( middle order bat), man with the quick hands, Lahiru Milantha (wicket keeper/middle order bat), capable bats, Shasheen Fernando (opening bat), Kavinda De Tissera (middle order bat) and Janith Liyanage (opening bat). Also Chrishan Fernando (chinaman), Chemila Obeysekara, who has taken 20 scalps so far (pacer), Kalana Ranjana (middle order bat), Sahan Nanayakkara (leg spin), Dinith Thimodya (opening bat), Haritha Dias (middle order bat), Oshan Karunarathne (wicket keeper), Chandula Jayamana (middle order bat) and Nimantha Peiris (leg spin) contribute the team with their abilities and skills to bring the championship home this year.
One of the finest coaches of the country, K. Gunarathna has taken charge of the young peterite cricketers to guide them to enhance their cricketing abilities as well as to build better persons to enter the society in future, enriched with moral values and humble acceptance at the face of victory or defeat.
“My team has the potential and the ability to be victorious on any given day, at any given time. However the boys should learn the importance of playing the game, cricket, not the winning. The game is about the ethical and social development of a school boy which should result in great future leaders and doers of the society.” said coach Gunarathna.
Click Here to view Pictures of St.Peter’s College Cricket Team 2012/2013
