Sadeera’s hour of glory
The selection panel headed by Jayantha Seneviratne had very little doubt in naming Sadeera Samarawickrama, the promising cricketer with allround capabilities as the 35th Bata-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year for 2014. Sadeera, who represents St.
Bata-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2014 - Sadheera Samarawickrama
Joseph’s College as an opening batsman and wicketkeeper, earned this honour mainly for his contributions as a top order batsman in the Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket team. Which means that he possess the talent that matters.
Sadeera was initially picked as the Best Batsman and his name was among the nominees for the Best Fielder’s award too. He had a close contender in Cambrian Shanuka Dulaj, who would have been the definite choice if not for Sadeera’s contributions at international level. Dulaj had over 1200 runs in the 2013/14 Schools Under-19 Cricket season, but Sadeera had more accolades, in terms of performances, devoting the entire season on national duty. Following runner-up Dulaj, who won a main award in the All-Island category, Ramesh Mendis of Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda, a member of the Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket team, was declared the second runner-up of the main award.
The selection process kicked off with the first award of the All-Island category, the Best Batsman’s award. Over 70 candidates from Division I cricket playing schools stood eligible for the race but only nine were considered in the first round. They were Shanuka Dulaj of Prince of Wales’, Minhaj Jaleel of Thurstan, Niksy Mohamed of Zahira, Dulash Udayanga of Mahinda, Rukshan Shehan of Joseph Vaz, Ramesh Mendis of Dharmasoka, Dineth Hewathantri of St. Peter’s, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Priyamal Perera, both of St. Joseph’s.
In the third round only Dulaj, Jaleel, Sadeera and Priyamal were picked. Dulaj and Jaleel had scored over 1200 runs apiece in the concluded season for their respective schools but on the other hand Priyamal got the opportunity to play both in the school’s season and with the Sri Lanka Under-19 side. Only Sadeera, the eventual winner had represented Sri Lanka Under-19s full time. To his credit Sadeera had represented the national side at three Youth Tests and at 19 Youth ODIs, including the ICC Youth World Cup held in Dubai. In six innings Sadeera had scored two Test half centuries (88 and 63) while hitting six ODI half centuries. Four of them came during the Youth World Cup and one at the ACC Asia Cup. Behind Sadeera Dulaj was picked as the runner-up in the All Island Best Batsman category.
Over 50 candidates were in fray for the All Island Best Bowler’s award which eventually went to left-arm paceman Binura Fernando of D.S. Senanayake College. Besides Binura, initially Ravin Sayer of Trinity, Malith Mahela of Mahinda, Waruna Deshapriya of Richmond, Vimukthi Madushan of Panadura Royal, Ramesh Mendis of Dharmasoka, Sahan Nanayakkara of St. Peter’s and Anuk Fernando of St. 
Sebastian’s were nominated to the first round. Waruna, Vimukthi, Ramesh, Sahan and Anuk lost their places in the second round as the selectors finally settled to Binura and Ravin as runner-up.
The All-Island Best Fielder award had closer to 80 contenders out of which Priyamal Perera of St. Joseph’s College became the winner. Among those who advanced to first round were Wanindu Hasaranga of Richmond, R.S. Ranasinghe of Dharmarajah, Dulash Udayanga of Mahinda, Ron Chandragupta of Trinity, Shanuka Dulaj of Prince of Wales’, Shamal Malaka of Holy Cross, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Priyamal Perera, both of St. Joseph’s. Ranasinghe, Dulash, Shanuka and Shamal were eliminated in the second round as the selectors picked Priyamal as the winner and Wanindu as the runner-up.
The All-Island Best Allrounder award was snatched by Shanuka Dulaj of Prince of Wales’ among 12 nominations. Along with Shanuka, Ramesh Mendis of Dharmasoka, Sachin Jayawardena of Wesley, Wanindu Hasaranga of Richmond and Malith Mahela of Mahinda advanced to the first round. Shanuka, Ramesh and Wanindu reached the next round after which Shanuka was declared the winner followed by Ramesh as the runner-up.
The performances of 15 schools, namely Richmond, Mahinda, Trinity, Thurstan, Zahira, Holy Cross, Gurukula, Dharmarajah, Joseph Vaz, Ananda, D.S. Senanayake, St. Joseph’s, De Mazenod, Royal Panadura, Dharmasoka and Prince of Wales’, were thoroughly scrutinised by the selectors for the All-Island Best Team award. Eventually four teams, Richmond, Mahinda, Trinity and Dharmaraja were considered for the second round. Richmond’s impressive record of 11 wins in 18 matches made them the most eligible contender to be the winner followed by Trinity, who had won six out of 16 games. Interestingly both teams finish off with an unbeaten record in the concluded season. This made the next category, the All-Island Best Captain award, an easy one for the selectors with Richmond skipper A.K. Tyronne being the obvious choice.
The winners Sadeera Samarawickrama, Binura Fernando, Priyamal Perera and Shanuka Dulaj, who also was a runner-up as Ravin Sayer, Wanindu Hasaranga and Ramesh Mendis were considered for the final call as the selectors debated on who would win the biggest plum. Later considering the contributions to the national Youth team Sadeera was easily picked as Shanuka, a winner and a runner-up and Ramesh, whose name appeared in three categories, were picked as the second and third slot winners.
The Emerging Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2014, Lasith Lakshan of St. Thomas’ College Matara won two main awards on his way to become the main star of this category. Lasith became the Best Batsman and the Best Allrounder of this category with his impressive track record.
In the Best Batsman’s category, where names of over 80 cricketers were in contention, Lasith, Tharaka Dhananjaya of Carey, Thilina Perera of Raddolugama MV, Sachin Jacob of St. Anthony’s Wattala and Dilshan Kanchana and Ramindu Nikeshala, both of Devapathiraja Rathgama, were selected. However Lasith, Tharaka, Dilshan and Sachin managed to reach the next round. Eventually the award went to Lasith followed by Tharaka, who became the runner-up.
Over 50 names were in the run for the Emerging Schools Best Bowler’s award which was won by Yasiru Hewanadugala of Rahula Matara. Alongside Yasiru, Kasun Tharaka of P. de S. Kularatne, Dilshan Hendeniya of St. Thomas’ Matara, Kasun Weeranga of Anuradhapura Central, Tharaka Somathilaka of Kegalu Vidyalaya, C. Ratnayake of Vidyartha, Pasan Samaratunga of Rahula Matara and R. Lohathieswar of St. John’s Jaffna were picked in the first round. But only three, namely Yasiru, Kasun Tharaka and Kasun Somathilaka had the luck to reach the next round. While Yasiru won the award Kasun Tharaka of Carey emerged the runner-up.
Close to 60 contenders were in line for the Emerging Schools Best Fielder category as Ramindu Nikeshala of Devapthiraja Rathgama went on to claim the award. Tharaka Dhananjaya of Carey, Indika Shamal of Kegalu Vidyalaya, Menuka Manujaya of Kegalu Vidyalaya, Rusiru Akshaya of St. Thomas’ Matara and Sashika Thilakasiri of St. Thomas’ Matale were in the fray with the winner Ramindu in the first round. Menuka emerged runner-up.
Lasith Lakshan won his second award, the Emerging School Allrounder, brushing aside 19 other contenders. Among those who reached the first round with Lasith were Dilshan Kanchana of Devapthiraja Rathgama, Tharaka Somathilaka of Kegalu Vidyalaya, Jagath Sandaruwan of Anuradhapura Central, Charith Rajapaksa of Carey, Pubudu Amarasekara of Kegalu Vidyalaya, Chalitha de Silva and Kasun Tharaka, both of P. de S. Kularatne. Lasith, Dilshan, Tharaka and Kasun reached the next round. Lasith was adjudged the winner while Dilshan emerged the runner-up.
The selection of the best teams from provinces was up next in the agenda. Accordingly unbeaten Carey College, who had a record of seven wins from 16 games, emerged the winner from the Western Province. Vidyartha College, with three wins in 16 games was picked as the winner of the Central Province while P. de S. Kularatne Vidyalaya Ambalangoda, who had recorded eight wins in 10 games, was named the winner of the Southern Province. Kegalu Vidyalaya, had five wins and a loss in 16 games but they emerged the best from the Sabaragamuwa Province. St. John’s College Jaffna, who had won six out of nine games inclusive of a loss, was selected as the winner from the Northern Province. The winner from the North Western Province was St. Anne’s College Kurunegala, who had won six out of 16 games with a loss. Anuradhapura Central College with a record of nine wins in 16 games was selected as the best team from the North Central Province, and with the promotion they gained to the Division I segment next season they also became the Best Emerging Team from the lot. Devapathiraja Vidyalaya Rathgama from the Southern Province was named as the Most Promising Team for winning three games from a total 15 after competing against strong sides. All winners will be given prior notice by the organisers to gather at the BMICH in Colombo on August 1 which will be the special day dedicated for them. The eventful Friday promises to be an unforgettable day to all winners especially those who won the top awards. It will be an unforgettable day in their lives. The humble hope and wish of Bata and the Sunday Times is that, all winners will be able to continue with their fine performances, which were helpful in being recipients of these awards, to reach greater heights in cricket.