The Lions hailing from the Hill Capital have comfortably established their demarcated boundaries and regime over the Cricket’s A Division School’s League as they sit on the top spot of the league table in the midway of the Cricket League.
We take a deeper analysis into Trinity College Kandy which would most probably end up as a league title winning outfit.
Cricket which is regarded to be the sport introduced by the British, was first taken up by Trinity College in the year 1914 being one of the oldest schools playing the sport. Throughout its progression in time to where it stands today, cricket in Trinity College has diversified widely and have been a front runner ever since. Having produced quite a many notable alumni who represented the nation and other forms of play Trinity College no doubt have been able to make an impact towards the betterment of the sport in the Island. Trinity’s most famous son Kumar Sangakkara is making waves in the world of cricket as we speak.
The highly anticipated battle between Trinity College Kandy and St. Anthony’s College which is renown to be the hill country Battle of the Blues and has been in existence ever since the sport’s inception and this year would be its 98th edition.
The recent past of the institution in the sport is highly commendable as the sport reached its highest possible summit within the past three years. The seasons 2010/11 ended under helms of Akila Jayasundera who took the side from an averaged team to a record winning victorious outfit who ended up league winners. His predecessor Niroshan Dickwella achieved the unachievable dream with 11 consecutive outright wins setting a new record to be reinstated in Sri Lanka’s division I cricket history. Dickwella’s team is yet considered to be the best which college has yet fielded with his team winning the celebrated big match encounter after a 25 year lapse as well.
This season Trinity has been successfully riding through with six outright wins, four first innings victories and two losses out of the 13 games played.. With eight more games yet to be played, it is yet too early to forecast proper results.
Ron Chandraguptha in Captaincy
Coloursman and fourth year player Ron Chandragupta will captain the side in the current season which is underway. Ron who has represented Sri Lanka in both Under 15 and Under 17 sides is the most experienced person in the side. Ever since he started shouldering responsibility, his form has been questionable. However in recent times he has been at full swing with him crossing the 500 run mark last weekend. A winning knock of 75 against Mahanama and a quick fire effort 98 off 89 balls in the Wesley encounter forecasts of his progressive success. Missing out on his century at Asgiriya against Wesley last week, Ron played his role in the shoes of captain brilliantly as he rescued the team from a loss against Wesley. Another of his success stories was the St. Joseph’s game where at a point the team’s score read 2-2, he together with his partner Chathura Jayasundera amassed a 100+ run partnership to save the day for Trinity. Though being out on the scores, he expressed the following to ThePapare:
“We’ve performed quite well on our first 13 games but there is yet time for development. I hope we’ll be able to stick to our top spot and bring back the league title. But mostly I hope we would overcome our rough patches and be all in form for the big match in March as that would be one of our main target areas”
Sampath Perera continue Office
Former NCC coach and specialist Sampath Perera will continue as head coach for the team for the 6th successive year. With him being able to transform the Trinity side from an averaged position to the ranks of greatness, he believes the team of 2014 too possesses the similar potential. With this season in its midway, Sampath believes that the side could end up proceedings just in the manner which they have been carrying out their duties In the past few games.
Players to Watch
Nushan Weerasinghe & Kaveen Hiniduma
The opening duo of the Trinity lineup has been successful in almost all of their previous outings. With a century and a few 50’s under his name, he carries the joy of being the highest run scorer for the team with 402 runs. Behind in second place is his partner Kaveen Hiniduma who mesmerized the players at Isipathana with his 125 run tally in the first innings makes him to be the stalwart stronghold in the team.
Chatura Jayasundera is another pick who Trinity would be endowing responsibility. Playing his first legit year in the opening XI after captaining the side at previous junior tier tournaments, Jayasundera will be expected to play a huge role in the team.
Raveen Sayer Justifies Lakshan Jayasinghe’s absence
The spinning sensation which took the last year’s league by storm and became Trinity’ most valued weapon Lakshan Jayasinghe will surely be missed as he would be off for national duties in the U19 World Cup. Justifying his absence is Raveen Sayer. Halfway on the season, he has picked a total of 71 wickets and with best figures of 13 for 34. The short-sized off spinner currently holds key position as he would has made himself the back-bone of the bowling as Trinity always relies on spin. Along with him would Charith Sudaraka, who’s having the best of his seasons with 45 wickets already in possession.
Trinity’s unitary pace attack Amrith Sri Mahan who’s playing his third and final season will be another pick who would be on the watch list. The tall gangly lad would be having much to prove this season under the Trinity jersey.
In conclusion the school from the hills have fielded in a comparatively inexperienced team in comparison but the likes of them going up the ladder is quite probable. Their performances in the recent outings have been commendable while the major fixtures are yet to be played. Much would be expected from the Trinity batting order since they have not yet reached their potential levels and the bowling department would be expected to continue on consistency till the closure of the season.
The 15 Member Squad :
Ron Chandragupta
Amrith Sri Mahan
Kaveen Hiniduma
Nushan Weerasinghe
Madawa Munaweera
Chathura Jayasundera
Arjuna Jayasinghe
Raveen Ekanayaka
Charith Sudaraka
Pramodya Abeykoon
Lakshan Jayasinghe
Lahiru Kumara
Shanogeeth Shanmuganathan
