With the commencement of 2013/14 Premier League Tournament recently, minnows of the tournament Badureliya SC will be looking not to be the punching bag for the star studded clubs this season.
Badureliya city is situated around 65 km’s away from Colombo to the southern part of the country. However, they are currently practicing in Colombo while they play their home games at Surrey Village grounds.
History of the Club
Badureliya SC was started way back in 1980 by Mr. Sumith Perera and since then he has been the President of the Club until now. Badureliya SC won the SLC division 2 championship in 2004 and gained their entry into the Premier First Class tournament in 2005 and since then they have been the underdogs of the Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket infrastructure.
Club’s biggest achievement was when they beat the Scotland national team in a T20 match in 2012. Badureliya SC had many outstanding players in the past such as Hemantha Wickramarathne, Niroshan Bandarathilake who represented Sri Lanka national team. They have always been welcoming foreign players to represent their club and in the recent past. Few of the players like Arun Karthik from India have been performing exceptionally well for Badureliya SC.
Current 2013/14 season
Badureliya SC have had a disastrous start for the current season as they finished on the bottom of the points table (Group A) in the Premier Limited Over Tournament where they won only one game while they ended up on the losing side on 5 occasions. Badureliya SC won their game against CCC by 4 wickets. Saman Jayantha and Andy Solomons were the only two outstanding players for Badureliya SC in the Premier Limited Over Tournament.
Badureliya SC have played two games so far in the Premier League Tournament and they were beaten badly by their opponents in those two games and Badureliya SC will have a daunting task ahead to beat some of the fancied clubs they will face in the coming weeks.
Captain/Coach – Saman Jayantha
40 year old Saman Jayantha will act in a double role for Badureliya SC this season as he will be the coach cum captain for Badureliya SC.
Former Sri Lankan opening batsman has played 17 ODI’s for Sri Lanka with over 165 first class matches in his 20 year career scoring over 9000 runs. One of the oldest and the most experienced players to participate in the current Premier League, Saman Jayantha who hails from Ambalangoda will give all his experiences and game knowledge to mould a winning team.
Speaking to ThePapare.com Saman Jayantha expressed his views on Badureliya SC’s season expectations : “ We want to give maximum exposure to our young talent and I’m playing because it will help the youngsters to blend in and play competitive cricket. Players like Janishka Premasinghe and Imesh Udayanga are terrific talents for the future. “
Solid Batting Line up
Badureliya SC possess a solid batting line up which can make match winnings totals as they have the raw talent within themselves. Saman Jayantha will open with one of the foreign players to represent Badureliya SC, Greg Smith who is an attacking opening batsman from Leicestershire will enjoy his position as Badureliya SC’s opening batsman. South African born Michael Richardson (Son of ICC CEO Dave Richardson) will be the one drop batsman for Badureliya SC and he has already shown his class when he made terrific 99 runs in their match against Moors SC.
Exciting players like Andy Solomons, Imesh Udayanga and Janishka Premasinghe will make up the rest of the middle order while players like Shameera Weerasinghe, Chalitha Helambage, Chanaka Withanage, Prasad Dias and Amila Sandaruwan will be vying for the other remaining spots in the Badureliya SC batting line up.
Versatile Bowling Attack
Badureliya SC bowling attack will be spearheaded by Thilina Thushara Mirando. Former Sri Lankan test fast bowler will be the key bowler for Badureliya SC as adds the much needed extra pace to the Badureliya bowling unit. Thilina Thushara has taken over 275 first class wickets and over 80 international wickets throughout his limited career.
Romesh Kaluarachchi or Wikum Sanjaya will partner up with Thilina Thushara to share the new ball while former Peterite all rounder Ranitha Liyanarachchi will add the stability and balance to the Badureliya attack. Former test bowler Sujeewa De Silva is also on the fringes raring to have a go at the batsman with his nippy left arm seamers. Spin Department will be handled by left arm leg spinners Ranil Dhammika or Navin Kavikara together with off spinners Janishka Premasinghe and Imesh Udayanga.
Full Squad
Saman Jayantha – Captain – Righ Hand Batsman – Right Arm Off Spin
Imesh Udayanga – Right Hand Batsman – Right Arm Off Spin
Greg Smith – Right Hand Batsman – Right Arm Leg Spin
Michael Richardson – Right Hand Batsman – Wicket Keeper
Prasad Dias – Right Hand Batsman – Wicket Keeper
Andy Solomons – Right Hand Batsman – Right Arm Fast Medium
Janishka Premasinghe – Right Hand Batsman – Right Arm Off Spin
Thilina Thushara – Left Hand Batsman – Left Arm Fast Medium
Chalitha Helambage – Left Hand Batsman – Wicket Keeper
Wikum Sanjaya – Right Hand Batsman – Right Arm Fast Medium
Romesh Kaluarachchi – Left Hand Batsman – Right Arm Fast Medium
Ranitha Liyanarachchi – Left Hand Batsman – Right Arm Fast Medium
Shameera Weerasinghe – Right Hand Batsman – Right Arm Leg Spin
Hashan Gunathilake – Right Hand Batsman – Wicket Keeper
Navin Kavikara – Right Hand Batsman – Left Arm Orthodox
Ranil Dhammika – Left Hand Batsman – Left Arm Orthodox
Venuka Ashan – Left Hand Batsman – Left Arm Fast Medium
Chanaka Vithanage – Right Hand Batsman – Right Arm Fast Medium
Ruwinda Shamen – Left Hand Batsman – Left Arm Fast Medium
Amila Sandaruwan – Right Hand Batsman – Right Arm Off Spin
Sujeewa De Silva – Left Hand Batsman – Left Arm Fast Medium
Badureliya SC will be managed by reputed Cricket Administrator Mr.Ranjan Paranvithana and he shared his views with ThePapare.com on Badureliya SC’s season plans :
“ We have given maximum opportunities for the young players. We want to win and stay in the Top 14 teams next season as well. We have a great blend of inexperienced young players with experienced seniors. “
