Ananda College needs no introduction to Cricket. Having produced some of the stalwarts of the national side, it stands out at the breeding ground for the national grid.
Heading the list of legends to come out from the school is Arjuna Ranatunga the World Cup winning captain and Sidath Wettimuny, Sunil Wettimuny, Ajith de Silva, Brendon Kurrupu, Avishka Gunawardena, Marvan Attapatu, Chandika Hathurusinghe, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Thilina Kandamby, and Sachithra Senanayake make the list.
Ananda College will look to take on the challenge of becoming the best team this season. Possessing an extremely good bowling attack along with a good mixture experience and youth, Ananda will prove to be a stiff opposition to overcome.
Leading his team to two outright wins this season, left hand bastman Thamalka Athulathmudali who is a 3rd year coloursman is a key player for Ananda College. As an opener, Thamalka has scored over 300 runs this season and has provided Ananda stability at the top.
Thamalka who is assisted by Kushil Perera has also contributed with over 200 runs with the bat and is a 2nd year coloursman.
Lakkana Jayasekara opens the batting for Ananda with Thamalka providing a good right hand – left hand combination at the top in a team filled with many left hand batsmen. The fresher has also managed to make his mark having scored 300 runs this season.
Nisal Francisco, another important player in Ananda’s top order has also managed to score over 300 runs, and was also selected to represent the Sri Lankan U17 team that toured England late last year.
Wicket keeper batsman Pasindu Thirimadura is the only Anandian to pass the 500 milestones this season having racked up 640 runs. A first year coloursman and right hand batsman, Pasindu has been a real treat to watch this season and has been a consistent performer for Ananda.
Fresher Sahan Arachchige is another extremely important all-rounder for Ananda. A member of the squad that toured UAE for the Asia Cup where Sri Lanka lost to India in the semi finals, Sahan has managed to take 15 wickets and score over 300 runs.
Another first year coloursman who hasn’t really hit the gas yet is Dasun Wijesinghe. The right-hand batsman has scored only 200 runs and will look to improve his game as the season progresses.
Looking at Ananda’s bowling line up leading the way is left arm leg spinner Isuru Gunsekara with 58 scalps under his belt. Closely behind, fresher Sandaka Pathirana who also bowls left arm leg spin has managed to bag 38 wickets this season so far. Sammu Ashan another spinner has also contributed with over 10 wickets.
Ananda have opted to only use one main fast bowler and have looked to Tharana Ravindu who has taken 15 wickets this season. Fresher Nipun de Silva too has enhanced Ananda’s bowling options this season.
On most occasions, Ananda have opted to bowl first this season which has resulted in two outright victories and six 1st innings wins for the Anandians.
Ananda succumbed 1st inning defeats to St. Peters College and St. Anthony’s College this season and are hoping to become stronger as the season progresses in their bid to become the best team.
Coached by Vipula Siththamage who is assisted by Chamil Perera, Ananda College have a very good coaching and support staff and will look to be formidable opponents this schools cricket season.
The squad :
Thamalaka Athulathmudali – Captain – left hand bat/ right arm off spin
Kushil Perera – Vice Captain – left hand batsman
Lakkana Jayasekara – right hand bat/right arm fast medium
Pasindu Thirimadura – wicket keeper / right hand bat
Sahan Arachchige – left hand bat/right arm fast medium
Dasun Wijesinghe – right hand bat
Isuru Gunsekara – left arm leg spinner
Sandaken Pathirana – right arm fast medium
Nisal Francisco – right hand bat/right arm leg spin
Sammu Ashan – right hand bat/right arm off spin
Tharana Ravindu – fast medium
Nipun de Silva –
Vipula Siththamage – Head coach
Chamil Perera – Assistant Coach
