The St. Joseph’s College cricket team for the 2014/15 season is a young outfit with many freshmen yet they are a formidable unit, capable of going all the way in the upcoming 81st Battle of the Saints annual encounter against St. Peter’s College on 6th and 7th March at P. Sara Oval stadium.
Bit of History:
St. Joseph’s College was one of the first schools in the country to embrace cricket and it is played over 115 years so far at Darley Road. Over the years, Joes have produced many great and classic cricketers such as Fairley Dalpethado,Ashley De Silva,Ajith Weerakkody and Chaminda Vaas. In the recent years, St. Joseph’s College has developed the best cricketers to the country in Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera and Dimuth Karunarathne also known as the ‘Josephian Mafia’ and players like Roshane Silva, Chathuranga Kumara & Supeshala Jayathilake are also on their way to the national team with good club cricket performances. During the past 80 encounters, the boys from Maradana have won the ‘Big Match’ on 12 times while their brother’s, SPC have only won on 9 occasions. During the past 80 encounters, the boys from Maradana have won the ‘Big Match’ on 12 times while their brother’s, SPC have only won on 9 occasions.
Key Players:
The Josephian skipper Pathum Madusanka has been carrying all the responsibilities to his shoulders over the season and he has led his team with great effect scoring a bulk of 780 runs. The 5th year coloursmen and opening batsman has scored 2 centuries against De Mazenod College and Wesley College. His experience will be vital for the boys in blue and white and he will be most important player going into the ‘Big Match’. The leg-spinning all-rounder Aravinda Akurugoda has been in great form this season taking 55 wickets and he has chipped in with the bat scoring a match-saving century and has accumulated over 350 runs to his name. Aravinda won the ‘Best Bowler’ award during the last Battle of the Saints and he is itching to make it a hat-trick this time.
A key batsman in the Josephian lineup is the one-drop right-hander Sandaruwan Rodrigo. The stylish 18-year old has scored 450 runs this season and a special knock is expected from his in the ‘Big Match’. Vice-Captain of the team, Hashindra Perera has been giving his bit with both bat and ball throughout the season. He has captured over 30 wickets with his off-spinners and has stroked close to 350 runs with the bat. Left-arm spinner Malshan Rodrigo will have to bowl the best spell of his career this weekend and he is well-capable of doing so.
2014/15 Season:
St. Joseph’s College has had a mixed-bag of a season winning 3 games on outright but has lost 2 outright games this season against Trinity College (after 51 years) and Ananda College (after 81 years) but they recorded victories against, Wesley College, Maris Stella College and St. Anthony’s College, Katugasthota and all other games ended as drawn encounters. The Josephian unit will be eyeing a turnaround of events when they take on the Peterites in a high-intense clash.
Young Players:
The biggest and youngest asset for St. Joseph’s College this season is the fast-bowling all-rounder Jehan Daniel. Touted to be the next Angelo Mathews, 15-year old Jehan is a match-winner and he has been performing reasonably well in his first year taking 25 wickets and scoring 350 runs. Left-handed Nipun Sumanasinghe is an elegant middle-order batsman and he is a value addition to the team as his off-spinners can come handy at times as well. Left-arm spinner Harin Cooray has taken close to 30 wickets this season while fast-bowler Ruchira Ekanayake can be lethal with the new ball as well.
Coaching Staff:
The Josephian administration gave the coaching responsibilities to two of their well-known old boys, Asela Pathirana and Michael Adams this season. Asela, 38 is a tactical and positive planner of the game and his contribution to Sri Lanka Indoor Cricket will always be remembered by the cricket community in Sri Lanka. Assistant coach, Adams provides all the necessary support for the team in all times. The Director of Coaching, Anura Tennakoon (Sri Lanka’s ODI captain in the inaugural World Cup in 1975) provides expert knowledge and experience to the Josephian think-tank. Mr. Prasantha Ranaweera is the master-in-charge of the team.
Full Squad:
Pathum Madusanka (Captain) – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Hashindra Perera (Vice Captain) – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Aravinda Akurugoda – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Malshan Rodrigo – Right Hand Bat – Left Arm Leg Spin
Suren De Silva – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Brayan Jayamanne – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Sandaruwan Rodrigo – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium
Vimukthi Peiris – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Leg Spin
Kevin Corteling – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium
Charuka Raveen – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Nipun Sumanasinghe- Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Revan Kelly – Left Hand Bat – Right Arm Off Spin
Jehan Daniel – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Manik Goonawardene – Right Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
Thashan Perera – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Neran Goonathilake – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Medium Fast
Harin Cooray – Left Hand Bat – Left Arm Leg Spin
Ruchira Ekanayake – Right Hand Bat – Right Arm Fast
Shewon Fonseka – Right Hand Bat – Wicket Keeper
St.Joseph’s College 1st XI Cricket Captain – Pathum Madushanka (2015)
St.Joseph’s College 1st XI Cricket Coach – Asela Pathirana (2015)
