One of the leading Cricket Clubs not just in the Gampaha District but in the entire Island, Ragama CC has proved to be a major force in the local domestic circuit with their impressive performances throughout the last decade. They are also widely known as the ‘Black Caps’ in Lankan cricket among the cricket fanatics.
Bit of History
Ragama Cricket Club was formed in 1989 by three keen cricketers, Roshan Abeysinghe popular figure in the cricketing arena, Roshan Iddamalgoda and Uditha Wijesundara at a time cricket was too expensive to afford and funds for the club was at a minimum. Ragama CC qualified to play the Premier Division one in year 2000/01 when they emerged as runner up in the Sara Trophy tournament and was captained by Dammika Vaz Gunawardane.
The greatest achievement of Ragama Cricket Club so far has been winning the T20 Premier Club Tournament organized by Sri Lanka Cricket, under the captaincy of all-rounder Duminda Perera in 2006/07 and being joint champions in the under 23 limited overs competition. Leading names such as Indika De Saram, Kushalaya Weerarathne Darshana Gamage ,Malinga Bandara, Ian Daniel as well as the current Sri Lanka vice-captain Lahiru Thirimanne have represented Ragama CC over the years.
Key Players
Ragama CC 2014/15 captaincy was awarded to stylish left-hander Lahiru Thirimanne but due to his unavailability for the most of the season, senior batsman Udara Jayasundara has been given the responsibility of leading the side. 24-year old former Anandian left hander opens the batting for Ragama and he has scored over 3000 first class runs during his short 5-year career.
Wicket-keeper and another seasoned campaigner in the Ragama outfit is Sameera de Zoysa. The former captain provides stability in the middle and his vast familiarity behind the stumps keeps the team going on and off the field. 32-year old left handed batsman in the middle order, Chanaka Wijesinghe is no doubt the most experienced batsman in the Ragama squad with more than 100 first class games and 5000 runs under his name.
Leg-spinning all-rounder Malinga Bandara is the leader of the bowling attack. He has represented Sri Lanka in all three formats and his all-rounder versatility won games for Sri Lanka during the last decade but since 2009, he has failed to find a place in the national setup. Malinga has captured over 500 scalps during his 18-year old first class career and he is playing twilight of his career and will be providing all his wealth of experience to the team.
Left-arm seam duo of Nilanka Premarathne and Chathura Peiris can be a lethal combination on any given day due to their ability to take wickets and the pace of Lahiru Jayarathne could always unsettle any batsman. Alankara Asanka is the main off-spinner in the Ragama bowling line up and he is well supported by the left-arm spin of Amila Aponso.
Young & New Blood
The biggest batting sensation lately to emerge from the domestic circuit have been the left-handed batsman, Lahiru Milantha. The 20-year old former Peterite has stroked plenty of match-winning knocks for Ragama CC during his debut season 2013/14 and he ended as the top run-getter during the recently concluded Premier Limited Overs Tournament 2014/15 with an aggregate of 304 runs in 7 matches. Lahiru will be missed for the most of the matches as he has been awarded a scholarship in Australia by Mercantile Cricket Association in Sri Lanka for his tremendous performances during the last year’s MCA tournament.
School leaver, Janith Liyanage has been tasked to open the batting for Ragama CC. The former Peterite batsman was outstanding for his college and he has already started his club career on a positive note with couple of 50s under his belt. Rathnayake brothers, Eranga and Shiran from St. Benedict’s College will be eyeing one spot in the playing XI.
Head Coach
One of the most loyal servants of Ragama CC, Ruwan Dissanayake is the head coach of the Ragama CC team. The 36-year old former off-spinner has bagged over 150 scalps representing his one and only major team, Ragama CC since the inception of the club.
He has a vast knowledge about the game and about all the players and his tactics of using young players at crunch situations has immensely been proven correct during the last few seasons when Ragama CC performed superbly, especially during the limited-overs tournaments.
Full Squad
Lahiru Thirimanne – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium
Udara Jayasundara – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Sameera de Zoysa – Left Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
Chanaka Wijesinghe – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Lahiru Milantha – Left Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
Malinga Bandara – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Nilushan Nonis – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Nilanka Premarathne – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Medium Fast
Chathura Peiris – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Medium Fast
Lahiru Jayarathne – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Alankara Asanka Silva – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Amila Aponso – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Orthodox
Akshu Fernando – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Charith Fernando – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Heshan Wanniarachchi – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Janith Liyanage – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Nuwan Karunarathne – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Eranga Rathnayake – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Shiran Rathnayake – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Jason Perera – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Medium
Cricket Club Previews – Ragama CC- Captain
Cricket Club Previews – Ragama – Coach
