Etching the winning line only in two games of the premier league limited overs tournament and concluding the last season at third place the Colombo Cricket Club lads are boosted with morale to take the season head-on.
A bit of History
The oldest abode of domestic cricket in Sri Lanka was formed in the year 1863 and was known as the Colombo Cricket Club today. Roshan Mahanama, Roy Dias, Athula Samarasekara, Charith Senanayake, and Roshan Jurampathi are some of the stalwarts to represent the club in the past. Winning over five premier league trophies, the Colombo Cicket Club stands itself prestigiously as consistent performers of the game.
Key Players
All-rounder Hasantha Fernando will charm the outfit for this season. Powering the bowling department with his medium pace, he has played 146 first-class matches and bagged 237 wickets. Emphasizing his ability to bat he has scored a total of 6973 runs with highest score of 186 in 234 first class innings. With his experience on the turf and the ditto talent that he possesses to control the game, he will come handy in the three day tournament.
National test cap holder Prasanna Jayawardhene on his return to the island after the New-Zealand tour will be expected to perform. His aptitude internationally in the longer version of the game will stand good for the club. Jayawardhene has played 374 first class innings in 241 matches with a highest score of 229 not out. He will strengthen the middle order with a first class batting average of 29.86.
The diminutive dynamite Chamara Silva with a record of 179 first-class matches and scoring over 11,000 runs in the domestic rostrum with a batting average of 40.47 and a highest score of 215 will be the anchor of the batting department. The use of his right arm leg-break off the turf will come-in handy to slow down the pace and sustain pressure on the opposition batsmen. Having bagged 51 wickets with a bowling average of just over 30 he will be an ideal part-time bowler.
Foreign Ammo
The old cog of local cricket having the luxury of acquiring foreign players will furnish Greg Smith and Michael Richardson to play their cricket in Sri Lanka.
Travelling from the United Kingdom, Greg Smith with a record of 89 first-class matches scoring more than 4000 runs in the format with a highest score of 158 not out will ensure the stability of the lower middle order. His fellow countrymen Michael Richardson with a batting average of above 40 will play along-side Smith.
Coaching Contingent
Acting the dual role of both player and Coach Dinuk Hettiarachchi will be piloting Maitland crescent to make an impact on the local cricket arena. Running on the experience of 22 long years of playing first class cricket and disbursing 14 years in United Kingdom playing county cricket, the club cannot hope for anyone better than him for the appointment. Taking on the assignment of coaching the club in this his maiden year with CCC and he will be hoping the end the season on a higher note.
Skipper Hasantha Fernando sharing his thoughts with ThePapare.com said “We were only able to win two games in the premier league limited overs tournament and the rest was washed away. Nevertheless we had a break of one month to bounce back and practice and prepare ourselves for the longer version of the game and I can assure that the team is in fine condition to make an impact”
Coach Dinuk Hettiarachchi in answer to our question on the key players stated“Well I believe Lakshan Sandakan is a definite go to man this season and I hope he will make an impact with his bowling for us and I also possess hopes on Hashan Dunithda that he will settle down and perform with the bat.
Full Squad with Disciplines
Hasantha Fernando (Captain) – Right Hand Bat – Right Hand Medium Pace
Maduka Liyapathiranage – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm off Spin
Lalith Abeyratene – Right Hand Bat – Wicket-keeper
Gishan Wimaladhramma – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm off Spin
Sachithra Wimalaratene – Right Hand Bat – Right Hand Leg Spin
Hashan Dunithda – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm off Spin
Lakshan Sandakan – Right Hand Bat – Left Hand Chinaman
Arosh Janoda – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Dinusha Fernando – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Pace
Prasanna Jayawardhane – Right Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
Greg Smith – Right Hand Bat
Michael Richardson – Right Hand Bat
Chamara Silva – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Nilesh Gunareatene – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Medium Pace
Dulanja Peris – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Orthodox
Dinuk Hettiarachchi – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Off Spin
CCC Captain – Hasantha Fernando
CCC Coach – Dinuk Hettiarachchi
