Chilaw Marians more dominant in the shorter version of the game are accessing to grasp the longer version of the game this season.
Though they are dominant on the shorter version of the game, the expected performance from the outfit was no-where to be witnessed during the lately concluded premier limited overs tournament. Yet with amended strategies and some new blood they would look to settle themselves down for the three day tournaments.
Bit of History
Chilaw Marians is a cricketing club based in the commercial city though its name carries you out of city limits. It has been the bed-rock for many good players even though they shift themselves to different clubs after. Having won 13 premier three day tournaments , it is evident that the club is not just dominant in the shorter version of the game.
Key Players
Nimesh Perera will lead the men in red for this season. Playing the dual role of the skipper and a batsman he has played 150 innings in 86 first class matches with a batting average of just under 30. With a highest score of 211 he will be the anchor in the middle order to build up the foundation set by the top. With a decent bowling average of 30.35 he also can chip in as a part time bowler as he has bagged 42 wickets in his 150 innings. His batting and his part time bowling will come handy for the men in red to make an impact in the tournament.
While the skipper strengthens the middle order, Lahiru Sampath will power up the bowling department. Having bagged 102 wickets in his terse career of 45 first class matches with a bowling average of 32.14 he will open the bowling for one end .
Kanchana Gunawardhena will hold the responsibility of laying the foundation for the innings playing in the opening slot. Having played 158 innings in 94 first class matches he holds a batting average of over 33 with a highest score 185, he will tune up the innings for the rest of the batsmen to follow.
Young Blood
Anthony Rukshan Shehan emerging from Joseph Vas College, Wennapuwa will play alongside the experience campaigner Kanchana Gunawardhena and play in the other end of the opening partnership.
Being dominant in his school career he will hope to carry it and step into representing the national side.
Gayan De Silva shifting himself to the city limits from Galle, will play his debut domestic season this year. Born in Bahrain he will play cricket in Lanka for the first time. Playing his school cricket at Elizabeth Moir International School he will play alongside Lahiru Samapth and power up the bowling department.
Foreign Blood
Playing his cricket in Durham, England; Englishman Scott Borthwick will taste the local cricket flavor this season with the men in red. Holding the experience of 133 innings played in 83 first class matches for his club in England, he has a batting average of 33.98. He will play the role of a middle order batsman this season for the local club with a highest score of 216. He also could play the role of a part time bowler as he has bagged 141 wickets in his county cricket career.
Coaching Contingent
Playing the dual role of player and Coach Upul Fernando will mentor the men in red this season. The batsman- wicket keeper will strengthen the middle order with his experience in 245 innings in 149 first class matches. Though this is his maiden year in coaching the experience he has in the game and the domestic franchise by playing against almost all the clubs in his long career will definitely come handy in ending the season on top.
Skipper sharing his thoughts with ThePapare.com “We have a fairly young side this season but with the blend we have with English Cricket I think we can make an impact this season”.
Coach Fernando expressing his views “This is my first year in the coaching field and I am glad to have begun it with this club. I have a young side filled with potential so I hope to do justice for these talented players”.
Full Squad with Disciplines
Nimesh Perera – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Upul Fernando – Right Hand Bat – Wicket-keeper
Scott Borthwick – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Gayan De Silva – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Medium Fast
Charith Rajapakse – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Rukshan Fernando – Left Hand Bat – Wicket-keeper
Mohammed Raffi – Left Hand Bat – Right Hand Off Spin
Chaminda Gamage – Left Hand Bat – Right Hand Off Spin
Kashh Vidura – Left Hand Bat – Right Hand Orthodox
Kanchana Gunesekara – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Poorna Silva – Right Hand Bat – Left Hand Orthodox
Nizki Mohammed – Right Hand Bat – Right Hand Medium Fast
Chalana De Sliva – Right Hand Bat – Left Hand Orthodox
Sashen Fernando – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Shashika Pushapagolla – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Romesh Krishanatha – Left Hand bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Hemantha Jasysundara – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Orthodox
Dilanga Manoj – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Thushara Madushanka – Right Hand Bat
Rohitha Demordara – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Sachin Wijeratene – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Chilaw Marians CC – Captain – Nimesh Perera
