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Raveen Yasas of Devapathiraja winner of Schoolboy Cricketer 2018 - Emerging category
For young Kamindu Mendis the path is almost clear. Up until now his record has spoken for itself and that mere fact made the task of selecting the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year much easier than the organisers earlier anticipated.
While at school, when he walked to the crease for Richmond he scored hundreds and he was the automatic captain for the Sri Lanka Cricket Under-19 team. Apart from that, when he bowls he is ambidextrous.
Kamindu is the Dialog 4G-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2018 and his performances at school tournaments and the international arena justify this selection. Kamindu has already begun his professional cricketing journey and is currently in action at the ongoing Sri Lanka Cricket Super 4 Provincial Limited Overs Tournament, representing Team Colombo.
Denuwan Perera of Carey College is the Emerging Schools Most Popular Cricketer 2018
Carey College, a school with a proud history, has produced some fine cricketers. A cricketer who can bring honour to this school will be its Captain Denuwan Perera, the Emerging Schools Most Popular Cricketer 2018.
Perera, a firm believer of having his feet firmly planted on the ground, is a popular figure well liked by his teammates as well as his schoolmates and the staff for his levelheadedness. As the skipper of Carey College Cricket this year, this soft-spoken cricketer’s dream is to take his school to a higher division in school cricket. Having led his team from the front the whole season, he always got the best out of them.
This stylish right-handed batsman and right-arm leg-spinner has scored over 400 runs and captured nearly 30 wickets this season.
Perera also has an abiding interest in music. The skipper treats his team members in a fair manner, irrespective of seniority, which has resulted in him getting the best out of them. He was delighted that under his captaincy, after three years, Carey College qualified to play in the schools knockout tournament. Denuwan’s dream of playing in the higher division was shattered when they were knocked out in the quarterfinals.
This young man is still confident that the goal he failed at will be achieved in the near future, as the young lot under his wing will be an experienced outfit in the coming seasons. A firm believer that cricket and studies should go together, he manages his time constructively.
Besides winning the topmost award of the Dialog 4G-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2018, Kamindu has two other awards under his belt - the Best Batsman and Best Fielder awards in the All-Island Schools category. Winning a hat-trick at any event will be dream run for any athlete and Kamindu has deservedly clinched this honour.
Coming second best to Kamindu is Savindu Peiris of Prince of Wales College, Moratuwa, who will be crowned the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2018 runner-up. Savindu became the Best Allrounder in addition to finishing second best among bowlers in the All-Island Schools segment.
Hareen Buddhila of St. Aloysius College Galle won the Best Bowler award, relegating Savindu to second best, while two St. Joseph’s College players finished second to the best of the best, Kamindu, in the two award categories he clinched. Josephian Revan Kelly was the runner-up in the Best Batsman competition while his teammate Sachintha Ravindu was the runner-up in the Best Fielder category.
S. Thomas’ College will have many reasons to rejoice this season considering the brand of cricket they dished out this season. To garnish their top award was Dellon Peiris’ success as the runner-up in the Best Allrounder award, with Cambrian Savindu finishing on top. Then came the second, when Sithara Hapuhinna was picked as the Best Wicketkeeper, ahead of Teron Baskaran of D.S. Senanayake College.
After heavy scrutiny, S. Thomas’ College was declared the Best All-Island Team for their unbeaten record and by virtue of this their skipper Dellon Peiris was named the Best Captain.
Coming second best to the Thomians were two teams from the south who maintain a healthy rivalry in cricket - Richmond and Mahinda colleges. Both teams were declared joint runners-up after much discussion. The southern region looks to have a healthy system of producing good cricketers such as Raveen Yasas of Devapathiraja College, Rathgama who was named the Dialog 4G-the Sunday Times Emerging Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2018. Raveen should definitely be proud of his achievement as he became the Best Batsman among Emerging Schools, which includes institutions that play Division II and III cricket, and helped his team reach Division I next season.
Coming second to Raveen on both occasions was Randeera Ranasinghe from St. Anne’s College Kurunegala. Randeera emerged runner-up in the categories of Emerging Schoolboy Cricketer, Best Batsman and Best Allrounder, which was won by Pathum Madushanka of Devapathiraja Rathgama.
Tamashana Abeykoon of St. Anthony’s College Kandy emerged as the Best Fielder among Emerging Schools as Ishara Maduwantha of Karandeniya Central pocketed the runner-up award. After a long lapse, St. Peter’s College Negombo produced a champ, when Umesh Kurera grabbed the Best Wicketkeeper award while its runner-up title went to Kavindu de Livera of Devananda College, Ambalangoda.
Rohan Sanjaya Silva of Tissa Central, Kalutara was the pick among the rest, as he became the Best Bowler among Emerging Schools, while Chathura Jayanath proved cricket is for all when he won the runner-up title and gave his school, Debarawewa National School in Tissamaharamaya, some much-needed attention.
Tissa Central College, Kalutara’s good record saw them named the Best Emerging Team with St. Anthony’s College, Kandy emerging runners-up. Awards for teams at the provincial level were also picked by the selection committee prior to selecting the winners of the newly introduced category, the Girls’ Schools segment.
With cricket among girls picking up gradually, it was an easy task to pick the best with only one official tournament taking place. Worthy champions Devapathiraja College, Rathgama were declared the Best Girls’ Team while Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda emerged runners-up. Kaveesha Dilhari of Devapathiraja, was picked the Dialog 4G-the Sunday Times Most Promising Girls Cricketer of the Year 2018.
Anula’s Harshita Madavi queen of schoolgirl cricketers
Being selected to the national squad is a rare achievement for a schoolboy or schoolgirl. But, Anula Vidyalaya Cricket Captain Harshita Madavi achieved this honour through dedication and sacrifice.
A gutsy and determined cricketer, this young lady first played cricket at Gothami Balika Vidyalaya before joining Anula Vidyalaya. She practised tirelessly and waited patiently till she was selected to play in Anula’s 1st XI team. With experience from playing club and provincial cricket and featuring in the development squad, this Anulian shone as an outstanding cricketer.
From 2017, Harshitha was in Sri Lanka Cricket’s development squad and this year she was selected to the national squad. She becomes the second Anulian to don national colours. A strong adherent to correct technique, both in batting and bowling, Harshitha opines that practising with the national squad helped improve her batting and bowling.
An elegant left-handed batter and right-arm fast-medium bowler, Harshitha’s contributions helped the Nugegoda school emerge as the runner-up in the Girls School Cricket Championship. She has scored nearly 300 runs and captured nearly 25 wickets this season for her school.
Leading from the front, this shrewd captain is capable of getting the best out of her side. Her advice and words of encouragements have produced a fine all-round team to be reckoned with in schoolgirl cricket.
Her main ambition is to bring honour to her school and to the country. She admits that finding a permanent place in the national side is a difficult task but says that with determination and courage nothing is impossible.
As a cricketer, Harshitha never shies away from challenges and is focused on achieving great heights in international cricket.
Special Dialog 4G awards
With enthusiasm picking up, Dialog Axiata, the partners of the show, introduced a new set of awards for the ever-improving awards ceremony, all related to their brand Dialog 4G and its main theme - speed. Two of the awards were based on the theme and the third was for the fastest to 1,000 runs.
From the Limited Overs competition the Dialog 4G Fastest to 50 Runs award was claimed by Josephian Revan Kelly while the Dialog 4G Fastest to 100 Runs went to Hasitha Boyagoda of Trinity College, Kandy.
The Dialog 4G Fastest to 1000 Runs award had just one contender and that was Revan Kelly of St. Joseph’s College. The fourth award was for the Dialog 4G Most Number of Outright Wins in 2018, which Richmond College Galle claimed with ease.
ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018
The organisers also made it a point to recognise and honour the Sri Lanka Under-19 team which participated in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2018, held in New Zealand. This team was led by glamour boy Kamindu Mendis and had a total of 15 players. Hasitha Boyagoda of Trinity College, who claimed the world record for the highest knock in a Youth ODI, is in line to receive the Most Promising Player from the international competition.
The talents of all schoolboy cricketers were highly considered and scrutinised before being picked by a large selection panel of experts, headed by renowned cricketing personality Jayantha Seneviratne, the Chairman. Others who contributed with their expertise were Brendan Kuruppu, Carlton Bernadus, Aubrey Kuruppu, Upul Sumathipala and Lakshman Ranasinghe as independent judges, SLSCA officials Oshara Panditharathna (President and Co-Chairman of Selection Panel), Dilshan de Silva (Secretary), Jagath Senaratne (Vice President), Kapila Jayalath (Vice President), Nihal Fernando (Treasurer), Kamal Indrajith (U-19 Tournament Secretary) and representing the Association of Cricket Umpires were Daminda Cooray (Vice President), Harsha Peiris (Vice President), Rohitha Kottachchi (General Secretary), Thassim Junkeer (Assignment Secretary, Rohan Chandrakantha (Assistant General Secretary) and Nishantha Dissanayake (ExCo/Provincial Representative). The statistics for selection was provided by Batsman.com headed by Kumara Gamhewage and his team consisting of Chaminda Kaushan, Eranga Madushanka and Viraj based on matches played at the concluded Singer Schools Under-19 Cricket Tournaments. The coordinator for the selection and the event is the evergreen Ajit Bodinagoda.
All winners have been given prior notice by the organisers to gather at the BMICH in Colombo on 20 June for a special day dedicated to them. The eventful Wednesday promises to be an unforgettable one for all the winners, in particular those who won the top awards. Dialog Axiata and the Sunday Times wish that all winners will be able to continue with their fine performances.
Vihan Gunasekera of DSS All-Island Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer
With a heavy flow of votes in the final week, D.S. Senanayake College cricketer Vihan Gunasekera surged to the top as the Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer - All Island 2018.
The huge support from his teammates, schoolmates, OBA and well-wishers was the secret behind Vihan’s achievement.
An elegant left-handed top order batsman, Gunasekera scored over 600 runs this season, while taking over 30 wickets with his off-spinners. Upon leaving school, his main ambition is to continue with his cricket and he hopes to play in the Premier Division. According to Vihan, to be a complete cricketer the important elements are planning, dedication, application and sacrifice. Having represented his school from the Under-11 level to the first XI, Viham’s honesty and humble qualities helped him in his endeavours.
Honouring the school motto ‘Country before self’, this all-round cricketer steps onto the field with a motto of his own, ‘School before self’. He always plays to win, while maintaining the best traditions of the game. As the one-drop batsman of the side, when he walks out to take strike this cool headed batsman disregards whatever the situation at the time, and gets his eye in without letting the bowlers get on top. Self confidence is the main necessity for a cricketer throughout his career. Coordination with the batsman at the other end has paved the way for Vihan to be involved in noteworthy partnerships. As a senior member of the team, his main advice to the juniors is to not fear the opposition or the situation, always make full use of the chances that come their way, never get into a shell when batting and rotate the strike until they get set. This advice has produced results as the DSS juniors had a big hand in the school’s achievements this season. Vihan paid a huge tribute to his parents for their faith in him through his ups and downs. He said he owes much to his coaches, from Sarath Perera to present coach Tharanga Dammika, as well as his uncle Ruwan Kalpage.
Results
All-Island
Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2018
Winner: Kamindu Mendis (Richmond College, Galle) Runner-up: Savindu Peiris (Prince of Wales College)
Winner: Kamindu Mendis (Richmond College, Galle)
Runner-up: Revan Kelly (St. Joseph’s College)
Top 10: Kamindu Mendis (Richmond), Revan Kelly (St. Joseph’s), Navod Paranavithana (Mahinda), Lasith Croosepulle (Maris Stella), Lahiru Attanayake (Ananda), Ravindu Sebukuttige (St. Aloysius), Kevin Perera (Maris Stella), Hasintha Jayasooriya (Trinity), Tharusha Fernando (St. Sebastian’s), Pubudu Bandara (Trinity)
Winner: Hareen Buddhila (St. Aloysius College, Galle)
Runner-up: Savindu Peiris (Prince of Wales, Moratuwa)
Top 10: Savindu Peiris (Prince of Wales), Mohamed Ameen (St. Peter’s), Vimukthi Nethumal (Trinity), Pasindu Ushetti (Maris Stella), Hareen Buddhila (St. Aloysius), Dhyan Vimukthi (Lumbini), Sandun Mendis (Richmond), Kaumal Nanayakkara (Prince of Wales), Dunith Wellalage (St. Joseph’s)
Winner: Kamindu Mendis (Richmond College, Galle)
Runner-up: Sachintha Ravindu (St. Joseph’s College)
Top 5: Sachintha Ravindu (St. Joseph’s), Dellon Peiris (S. Thomas’), Kamindu Mendis (Richmond), Ravindu Rashantha (Dharmasoka), Lakshan Gamage (St. Joseph’s)
nBest Allrounder:
Winner: Savindu Peiris (Prince of Wales, Moratuwa)
Runner-up: Dellon Peiris (S. Thomas’ College)
Top 8: Mahesh Theekshana (St. Benedict’s), Savindu Peiris (Prince of Wales), Ravindu Fernando (Maris Stella), Dellon Peiris (S. Thomas’), Thimira Supun (St. Mary’s Kegalle), Asel Sigera (Ananda), Dulaj Ranatunga (Maliyadeva), Dunith Wellalage (St. Joseph’s)
Winner: Sithara Hapuhinna (S. Thomas’ College)
Runner-up: Teron Baskaran (D.S. Senanayake College)
Top 10: Thisuraka Akmeemana (Wesley), Amila Dayanaka (Dharmapala), Chathura Prabath (St. Aloysius), Dushan Ranmal (Lumbini), Pathum Mahesh (Gurukula), Sithara Hapuhinna (S. Thomas’), Malintha Peiris (St. Sebastian’s), Risira Weerasooriya (St. John’s Panadura), Vinura Hiranjith (Mahinda), Teron Baskaran (DSS)
Winner: S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia
Runners-up (Joint): Mahinda College and Richmond College
Top 10: S. Thomas’, Mahinda, Richmond, Maris Stella, Trinity, St. Peter’s, Prince of Wales, St. Aloysius, D.S. Senanayake, St. Joseph Vaz
Winner: Dellon Peiris (S. Thomas’ College)
Emerging Schools
Emerging Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2017
Winner: Raveen Yasas (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama)
Runner-up: Randeera Ranasinghe (St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala)
Winner: Tamashana Abeykoon (St. Anthony’s College, Kandy)
Runner-up: Ishara Maduwantha (Karandeniya Central)
Top 10: Umesh Lakshan (St. Peter’s Negombo), Kavindu Irosh (St. Sebastian’s Katuneriya), Sohan de Livera (Devananda Ambalangoda), Tamashana Abeykoon (St. Anthony’s Kandy), Dineth Chandimal (St. Anne’s Kurunegala), Pasindu Shanadith (Sri Sumangala Panadura), Pulasthi Atapattu (Kegalu Vidyalaya), Shehan Fonseka (Holy Cross), Dhananjaya Maduranga (Kingswood), Ishara Maduwantha (Karandeniya Central)
Winner: Raveen Yasas (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama)
Runner-up: Randeera Ranasinghe (St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala)
Top 10: Wanitha Wanninayake (St. Anne’s Kurunegala), Umesh Kurera (St. Peter’s Negombo), Nipuna Deshan (Sri Sumangala Panadura), Randeera Ranasinghe (St. Anne’s Kurunegala), Pasindu Sooriyabandara (Royal College), Raveen Yasas (Devapathiraja), Kavindu Irosh (St. Sebastian’s Katuneriya), Pathum Madushanka (Devapathiraja), Rajitha Ashan (Siri Piyarathana), Sohan Livera (Devananda Ambalangoda)
Winner: Rohan Sanjaya (Tissa Central, Kalutara)
Runner-up: Chathura Jayanath (Debarawewa MMV, Tissamaharama)
Top 10: Rohan Sanjaya (Tissa Central), Anuka Jayasinghe (Sri Sumangala Panadura), Chathura Jayanath (Debarawewa MMV), Pathum Madushanka (Devapathiraja), Nimnaka Jayathilaka (St. Anthony’s Kandy), Dishan Pramod (St. Sebastian’s Katuneriya), Kavindu Jayawickrama (Kalutara V), Heshan Madushanka (Piliyandala C), Dilhara Kumara (Holy Cross), Manula Perera Royal College)
Winner: Umesh Kurera (St. Peter’s College, Negombo)
Runner-up: Sohan de Livera (Devananda College, Ambalangoda)
Top 10: Umesh Kurera (St. Peter’s Negombo), Kavindu Irosh (St. Sebastian’s Katuneriya), Yohan Ravishka (Tissa C), Gayashan Chathuranga (Piliyandala C), Shehan Malinda (Debarawewa MMV), Hasith Hansidu (Ananda Shasthralaya), Dunith Nimhan (Kalutara V), Joel Praveen (St. John’s Jaffna), Hareen Achintha (Devapathiraja), Sohan de Livera (Devananda Ambalangoda)
Winner: Pathum Madushanka (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama)
Runner-up: Randeera Ranasinghe (St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala)
Top 10: Pathum Madushanka (Devapathiraja), Raveen Yasas (Devapathiraja), Randeera Ranasinghe (St. Anne’s Kurunegala), Kavindu Jayawickrama (Kalutara V), Pubudu Ganegama (St. Anne’s Kurunegala), Madhawa Mavindu (Dharmaloka), Yugeesha Dishan (Dharmaloka), Sasith Ruwantha (Rahula Matara), Shaminda Senaratne (St. Anthony’s Kandy), Navodya Imesh (St. Anthony’s Kandy)
Best Emerging Provincial Teams
Winner: Sri Sumangala College, Panadura
Southern Province: Devananda College, Ambalangoda
Central Province: Vidyartha College
Uva Province: Bandarawela Central College
North Western Province: St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala
Northern Province: St. John’s College, Jaffna
Sabaragamuwa Province: Dudley Senanayake Central, Tholangamuwa
Winner: Tissa Central College, Kalutara
Runners-up: St. Anthony’s College, Kandy
Girls’ Schools
Winner: Devapathiraja College, Rathgama
Runner-up: Anula Vidyalaya, Nugegoda
Winner: Kavisha Dilhari (Devapathiraja College, Rathgama)
Top 6: Shikari Nuwanthi (Devapathiraja), Sathya Sandeepani (Devapathiraja), Harshitha Madhavi (Anula), Sanduni Nisansala (St. Anthony’s GS Kandy), Rashmi Silva (Rathnavali BV Gampaha), Kavisha Dilhari (Devapathiraja)
Dialog 4G Special Awards
Limited Overs Fastest 50: Revan Kelly (St. Joseph’s College)
Limited Overs Fastest 100: Hasitha Boyagoda (Trinity College)
Fastest to 1000 runs: Revan Kelly (St. Joseph’s College)
Team with most number of outright wins: Richmond College, Galle
Sri Lanka Under-19 Team for World Cup
Most Promising Player: Hasitha Boyagoda (Trinity College, Kandy)
