Remarkable season by Trinity cricketers

Thursday, 18 May 2023 00:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Trinity College Under 19 cricket outfit

By Shamseer Jaleel

Naveen Ekanayake coached the outfit

Trinity College Cricket outfit under the watchful eyes of their Head Coach, Naveen Ekanayake ended a great season in 2022/2023. They became not only the One day champions but also the two-day encounter’s Joint champions with Joes. The outfit was led by Rahal Amarasinghe which consisted of two national youth players, Manula Kularatne and Theeraka Runathunge in their outfit.

Naveen who learnt his basics at Trinity, right hand bat and a useful wicket keeper played for the Kandy outfit from Under -13 to Under -19 level ending as the Best Fielder in each group which is remarkable achievement for any player. In 2014 and 2015 he was the Best Wicket keeper of the All-Islands best Team, Trinity in both the years.

After leaving school he played for Colombo Cricket Club (CCC) and Kandy CC in the Under -23 tournaments. He played for Old Trinitians Sports Club in division 2 and 3.

Naveen’s coaching career started at Trinity when he joined as the 2nd XI (A team) head Coach and later became the first XI Assistant Coach. After completing his level 2 in coaching he was given the opportunity to take over in 2022 from another old boy, Kavinda Jayasuriya who did a remarkable job to bring Trinity to put the foundation in place.

Under Naveen’s coaching stint so far Trinity was able to end as Under -17 Joint champions (2022), Under -19 Division 1 champions in Tier A-2023, Under -19 Division 1 Joint champions (2 day) tournament 2022/2023. Last one being the Big Match first innings win over the Antonians to regain the trophy after five years’ wait plus the famous Trinity win over Royal at Reid Avenue in their 130 years old history. The same season they beat Royal at Asgiriya too.

Trinity College became double champions after 11 years making a hat-trick of championships under his career which is one of the best in the recent past among the school coaching staff around the country.

Naveen got ample support from Assistant Coach, Lakshitha Alahakoon, 2nd XI coach, Dinusha Jayasanka, Trainer Bandula Pushpakumara, Physio Lasantha Herath, MIC Brayan Senarathne and POG, Uthiya Wijesinghe with sports loving Principal, Father Araliya Jaysundera giving ample support performing in field was so easy for the outfit and coaching staff.

Some of the top performers this season being skipper, Rahal Amarasinghe,Vibhavith Ehalapola, Dinusha Pieris, Manula Kularathne, Theeraka Ranatunga, Dinuka Thennkoon, Tharana Wimaladharma, Janith Warnakula, Jayavi Liyanagama, Lakvi Abeysinghe, Supun Waduge and Kusal Wijetunga.