Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka’s ‘Master Blaster’ studied at St. Servatius College Matara. The school is very proud of this fact. This educational institution which has a history of over 112 years has made a name for itself for quality cricketers. They will be playing in the top league for the third successive season. Another object of this school is to qualify for the limited overs competition. Coach P.B. Buddhika has this idea imbedded in him to compete against top schools in Division One in order to test the team and show others what the side is capable of.
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| St. Servatius cricket squad (Pix by Amila Prabodha) |
St. Servatius Matara has two Sri Lanka Under-19 members in their ranks. However they will miss their key playmakers who did service for them last year. Most of their players have come from their junior squads. “Last year we fared quite well with a balanced outfit. This year’s team is similar to last year. We expect the same fighting qualities from the new players,” said coach Buddhika.
St. Servatius is captained this year by wicketkeeper/batsman Sanindu Keshawa who is playing in his fifth year with the 1st XI team. Last year he accumulated 671 runs in 15 matches with two hundreds. Sanindu Keshawa’s good form is a blessing for the team which has high hopes this season. Keshawa has the support of all-rounder Gihan Nimsara as his deputy. Nimsara is one of the two players to make it to the Sri Lanka Under-19 squad. Fourth year player Nimsara scored 574 runs last season with his bat while he has been a regular contributor with his right-arm medium paces. Another player to reach the Sri Lanka Under-19 squad is right-arm paceman Kasun Rajitha, who got into the final pool of 15 players. Owing to injury the promising fast bowler had to bow out.
“Having such players is a great boon for St. Servatius. We played two third term matches. Both games ended in draws. These two matches gave us the chance to spot talent and tighten loopholes. What we were able to gather was that the team still has the balance which they had last year. But there is still room for improvement. This year we come out with a blend of youth and experience,” said Buddhika.
Left-handers Vihanga Madushan and Yohan Chanuka are the openers of the side. Masudhan has been the opening bat for St. Sevatius during the past two seasons and this will be the first season with Chanuka. So far both openers have been able to give their team a steady start with partnerships of over 70 runs in both games. Following the openers are right-handers, skipper Keshawa, Rajitha, deputy skipper Nimsara and Sanjika Ridma, an Under-15 player. From these four, the bats of Keshawa and Nimsara will have to play pivotal roles as they have been during the past couple of seasons. Team officials, however, tipped Keshawa and Ridma to be potential playmakers during the season. Three left-handers - Kavindu Umesh, Vidath Dilshan and Sameera - follow the line-up down to the bottom. The remaining slots will change according to the opponents and the playing conditions.
The bowling department consists of four fast bowler and six spinners. Right-arm paceman Rajith is the most experienced out of the lot. D.J. Ruchira, a left-arm seamer has been doing a good job as their opening bowler. More support is expected from newcomer left armer Mohamed Rajad. Among the spinners Sanjika Ridma is the most experienced with two seasons under his belt. He has captured 90 and 40 wickets in earlier years. He is a left-arm spinner as well. Chanuka Dilshan is the rookie spinner of the side. The remaining spinners are that experienced. Among them are off-spinners Ashen Deemantha and Thanula Sasmith and right-arm leg-spinners Harshana Madushanka and Sameera.
St. Servatius has 13 more games to play during the season. Their squad has notably been reduced from 22 to 18 players soon after the G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination. But their players have been training during the off-season. They have been preparing for the challenges ahead. Last season they were able to record five wins from 15 matches but this season the camp is optimistic and plan toke on the challenge more practically. They will play eight games on their home venue which is the Uyanwatte Stadium. The remaining games will be played at away venues.
“The boys have been practicing with a great deal of dedication. This season we have to be more realistic on the outcome of the sport. But we do have a goal to achieve which is to reach the limited overs stage and the rest of the tournament will be taken up according to matches,” Buddhika revealed.
St. Servatius cricket squad: Sanindu Keshawa (Captain), Gihan Nimsara (Vice Captain), Kasun Rajitha, Vidath Dilshan, Sanjika Ridma, Vihanga Madushanka, Yohan Chanuka, Thanula Sasmith, Dishan Indika, Mohamed Rajad, D.J. Ruchira, Vishwa Mayantha, Kavindu Umesh, Thushan Eranga, Chanuka Dilshan, Harshana Madushanka, Randika Eshan, Ashen Deemantha, Dilshan Madushanka, Sachith, Sameera, P.B. Buddhika (Coach), G.H. Nayanananda (M-I-C). |
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