Malinga valiant, but Sachin stays ahead
View(s):St. Peter’s College allrounder Sachin Dalpethado continues to stay ahead in the All-Island segment of the 36th Bata-the Sunday Times Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2015, as the competition completes its tenth week. Sachin accumulated 1647 votes during the ended week as he leads close contender Malinga Amarasinghe of Nalanda College by 2132 votes. Malinga added 1354 votes to his tally bringing his total count to 6860.
With six more weeks to go before the final count is taken, the battle will be clearly between Sachin and Malinga. As for now, it is clear that Sachin can relax a bit but a little extra effort from Malinga could cause him a bit of anxiety. The third in line in the main contest, Aravinda Akurugoda of St. Joseph’s College, meanwhile has a lot to do, if he wants to become a threat to the top two. Currently he has 3702 votes to his name, 5290 behind Sachin and to catch up Malinga he needs at least 3160 votes.
Behind Aravinda sits Himesha Ranganath of Royal College Panadura with 2084 votes. He will need 1619 or more votes take Aravinda’s place. At fifth is St. Joseph’s College skipper Pathum Madushanka, but his progress has slowed down a bit last week, relatively to the earlier weeks. Last year’s Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year winner Randev Pathirana remains at fifth place followed by Lakshan Rodrigo of St. Peter’s College. Charith Asalanka of Richmond College, Shehan Weerasinghe of Zahira College and Harith Samarasinghe of Royal College Colombo remain as they were in the previous few weeks.
In the Emerging Schools category, Nipun Malinga of Vidyaloka College Galle continues to hold the lead over the other contender in battle Udith Dilsara of St. Peter’s College Negombo. His lead over the only remaining rival has bolstered to 1211, a clear way forward from last week. Udith’s final tally is 599, an addition of 49 votes from last week.
Sahan Thennakoon of Lyceum International Panadura has improved on his progress as he continues to lead the International Schools segment without much pressure. He has an addition of 389 votes to take his tally to 1049 and to lead the only other contender in this segment, Shimraz Shahill of Alethea International, by 256 votes. However it is evident by his progress that Shimraz is taking his time to gradually regain the top spot.
Coupons of the 36th Bata-the Sunday Times Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2015 will appear on Wijeya Newspaper’s dailies, the Daily Mirror and Lankadeepa and also its weekend English issue, the Sunday Times and the Sinhala weekly Deshaya. Readers will be able to send in as much as coupons in favour of their favourite schoolboy cricketer until mid June.
Name School
All-Island Schools
Sachin Dalpethado St. Peter’s College 8992
Malinga Amarasinghe Nalanda College 6860
Aravinda Akurugoda St. Joseph’s College 3702
Himesha Ranganath Royal College Panadura 2084
Pathum Madushanka St. Joseph’s College 1519
Randev Pathirana Royal College Colombo 1397
Lakshina Rodrigo St. Peter’s College 960
Charith Asalanka Richmond College 875
Shehan Weerasinghe Zahira College 843
Harith Samarasinghe Royal College Colombo 655
Ravin Sayer Trinity College 619
Sachindu Kolambage Maris Stella College 596
Thimira Jayasinghe Thurstan College 543
Wanindu Hasaranga Richmond College 420
Dineth Navodya St. Peter’s College 311
Emerging Schools
Nipun Malinga Vidyaloka College Galle 1859
Udith Dilsara St. Peter’s Negombo 648
International Schools
Sahan Thennakoon Lyceum Panadura 1049
Shimraz Shahill Alethea International 793
Readers prizes for to: 1. Uvindu Nimsara, Madagahadeniya, Kiyanduwa, Akuressa. 2. Vinuka Onel Rodrigo, Mahakeliya Junction, Mahakeliya, Kurunegala. 3. A. Jeyachithra, T/A/6, Tony Mawatha, Galahaduwa, Hendala, Wattala. 4. Ranjit Dassanayaka, 9/3, Hamer’s Avenue, Wellawatte.