After a disappointing few seasons, a new look St. Anthony’s College look for a fresh start under a new mentorship with the school going all out with nothing to lose ahead of the centenary Big Match encounter this March at Pallekelle.
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A trip down memory lane
The institution in Katugastota was an early entrant to the gentlemen’s game and in the year 1914, they met at Bogambora for their first unofficial cricket game against Trinity College. Later on, the school progressed to be a rising stronghold in the country’s cricketing arena, growing with the sport.
The school in Katugastota has been the cradle for many greats who learned their basics of the game and later went on to take on the international stage. Some them include Ruwan Kalpage, Mahes Gunathilake and of course the spin wizard Muttiah Muralidaren.
2016/17 Season
Times haven’t been the best for the Antonians with them still fighting their way up to the top tier but this year’s season has been an even affair for the Eagles. St. Anthony’s have with themselves four outright victories while 7 matches were won on first innings. Their disappointment will be the two outright losses during the season.
Key Players
Senior player Mohamed Alfar leads the Antonians this year being the most experienced campaigner in the side. Having played three seasons in the school jersey, the wicket-keeper batsman is set to lead his team to the centenary battle. Scoring a total of over 652 runs in the season from 13 innings, Alfar looks confident of building an opening stand when they confront Trinity.
Photo Album: St. Anthony’s College Cricket Team Preview 2016/17
St. Anthony’s will have the services of Sandaruwan Dharmarathne who will be their key player in the bowling department. The left arm spinner has been the stand out bowler picking up 75 wickets in the season.
Paceman Virajitha Jayasinghe is set to lead the bowling at Pallekelle for the Antonians as the right-arm bowler will look at taking the important wickets at the start of the innings. Picking up 43 wickets in the entire season, Jayasinghe looks in good form to take on the final challenge at Pallekelle.
Hopes will be vested on Mohamed Absar in the batting line up along with skipper Alfar as he is an individual who has played long innings throughout the season. With 660 runs, Absar has a massive responsibility vested on him to build the Anthonian innings.
Coaching Staff
The addition of veteran coach Sampath Perera is surely set to revitalize the Antonians as he takes control of the Eagles for this season. The former NCC coach later took on Trinity College and ended up taking the Lions to several titles wins including the triple-crown victory in 2012.
There wouldn’t be anyone better at knowing the local conditions and he is set to make a possible mark in his new position as coach at St. Anthony’s College.
Final Say
It will be a tough challenge for the Eagles from Katugastota coming into the 100th Trinity Anthonian game but the Antonians have never failed to deliver in the big match stage. With a revamped outfit in the Eagles jersey, St. Anthony’s College will have an even playing field at the centenary and will look to bring back the John Halangoda trophy after 26 years.
Full Squad
Mohemad Alfar (Captain), Virajitha Jayasinghe, Theeksha Gunasinghe, Sandaruwan Dharmarathne, Janidu Himsara, Mohemad Absar, Diyon Stouter, Sunera Jayasinghe, Nipun Ashok, Gihan Achintha, Sathish Wickramarachchi, Kevin Dhananjaya, Sasith Hirudika
