DS Senanayake College will be seeking to stake a claim for bragging rights in the big match and 50 over cricket encounters against rivals Mahanama College as the Dons turn fifty this year.
A bit of history
DS Senanayake College has produced players in the likes of Aravinda De Silva, the man who played the major role in our only World Cup win in 1996 and former Test captain Hashan Thilakaratne. The latest fast bowling prodigy, Binura Fernando was another talent unearthed in the school from Cinnamon Gardens.
Key Players
Right handed batsman Dasun Dimasha will be a force to reckon with the bat in hand. The middle order batsman has scored more than 500 runs from 11 matches this season. He has one century to his name which came against St. Joseph’s College.
Fourth year player, Shehzaad Ameen is another batsman who is nearing the 500 run mark this season managing this feat in 11 innings. The left hander will be another batsman to watch out for at the big match.
Left arm orthodox bowler, Muditha Lakshan is the man who has been devastating with the ball this season for the Dons. He has bagged over 50 wickets in 11 matches with 3 five wicket hauls. The 2nd year player will offer a lot to the DS bowling attack this time around.
Photo Album: DS Senanayake College Cricket Team Preview 2016/17
All-rounder Vihan Gunasekara has been impressive this season, having bagged 30+ wickets with the ball and scored over 350 runs. The third year player will be hoping to add his imputes as DS Senanayake takes on Mahanama College in their annual big match.
Coaching Staff
Former St. Joseph’s College first XI coach, Dilan Ramanayake will continue from last season as the head coach while Hasith Dilhara will be his assistant.
Final Say
Having played five tournament matches, DS has managed one outright win, two first innings wins and two losses while their traditional game record is far worse with just one first innings win and four first innings losses. DS will have to put in the hard yards at training if they are to have any chance of regaining the lost 50 overs title from Mahanama College.
Captain Torin Pitigala expressed his views on this to ThePapare.com, saying, “We managed one outright win against Anuradhapura Central and first innings wins over St. Aloysius and St. Sylvester College. We trained hard and we all going all out to beat Mahanama in the 50 overs this time around”
Coach Ramanayake also shared his views, saying, “We have a good side but unfortunately they have not clicked properly but we are readying players for the future as well. There have been ups and downs this season but we will plan, train and come hard to beat Mahanama”
DS Senanayake full squad
Torin Pitigala (C), Shehzaad Ameen, Inosha Gunawardena, Sachintha Hettige, Geethanjana Daniel, Muditha Lakshan, Yasith Samaradivakara, Lahiru Samaranayake, Shashika Gamage, Dasun Dimasha, Thathsara Santhosh, Pasindu Chanaka, Vihan Gunasekara, Kalana Hettiarachchi, Teron Shanel, Pasindu Adithya.
