Bloomfield Athletic and Cricket club having showcased a fair share of their performance at their games in the recently concluded premier league tournament is revitalized with morale and talent for the upcoming first class tournaments.
A Bit of History
Bloomfield Athletic and Cricket Club founded in the year 1892 is one of the oldest cricketing clubs in the island. Having won eight premier trophies and five premier limited over trophies the club holds the distinction of introducing one of the finest all-rounders in world cricket Sanath Jayasooriya. It was also home to the likes of Kumar Dharamasena, Brendon Kuruppu and many more acclaimed cricketing brands for the island.
Key Players
Bloomfield’s most trusted asset in the bowling department test cap holder Suraj Randiv will lead the boys upfront this season. The 29 year old all-rounder holding the experience of one hundred and eight first class matches will be extending his part in both the bowling department as a right hand off break bowler and will be strengthening the lower middle order with the bat. The skipper playing 152 innings has scored and 2621 run taking 496 wickets in his first class outing for Bloomfield.
The top order of the club will be in the safe hands of the right handed opener Dilshan Munaweera and the middle order will be strengthened by Madhawa Waranapura. Having played 49 matches and scoring more than 2000 runs with a highest score of 153 Dilshan Munaweera will be anchoring the innings upfront. Madhawa Warnapura playing his cricket with the Sri Lankan A-team is yet another asset that the club holds with the 2282 runs with a highest score of 200 not out.
The bowling department of the Reid Avenue boys is strengthened with the right arm medium pacer and national test cap holder Nuwan Pradeep, but Nuwan having left the island for national duty on the tour of the New Zealand the pressure will be mounted on the skipper Suraj Randiv. Vishwa Fernando and Dilshan Perea will share the pressure equally off the skipper.
Young Blood
The national under nineteen skipper Kusal Mendis will be turning out for the first time. Leading the national junior team in the world cup franchise this young batsman-wicketkeeper will be mastering his strokes building up the foundation for his future cricketing career. Starting his career from Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa he was undoubtedly a player to watch during his school cricket career.
Coaching Contingent
Despite his cricketing pedigree, Malinda Warnapura has taken his time to press forward his case for national recognition. Having begun his first-class career in 1998-99, it was not until 2006 that he really made his mark. The tour to India with Sri Lanka A to participate in the Duleep trophy saw this elegant left-hand middle-order batsman blossom. He has also 14 test matches matches under his belt with a 35+ average as a national player. Having coached previously at CCC he will extend his duties this season as the guiding light.
Skipper Suraj Randiv expressing his views with ThePapare.com stated “We are hoping for a bounce back this season as we could not perform at our best in the limited overs tournament due to bad weather. We have commenced practices as usual and the boys are prepared well the for upcoming first class tournament”
Coach Malinda Warnapura sharing his views with us stated that he is hoping to see Dilshan Munaweera settling down and playing the longer version of the game and if he does so it will be a huge advantage for the outfit.
Full Squad
Dilhan Cooray – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Kusal Mendis – Right Hand Bat – Wicketkeeper
Adeesha Nanayakkara – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Ashen Silva –Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Nadeera Nawela – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Charith Rajapakse – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Dilshan Munaweera – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Gihan Nimsara – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Pace
Rukshan Weerasighe – Left Hand Bat
Ishan Rashmika – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Off Spin
Suraj Randiv – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off-Break
Primesh Perera – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Nuwan Pradeep – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Pace
Imran Khan – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Nipun Karunnayake – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Vinodh Perera – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Madhawa Warnanpura – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Sadun Sampath – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Janandika Shriyapala – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Cricket Club Previews – Bloomfield C & AC – Captain
Cricket Club Previews – Bloomfield C & AC – Coach
