Sports

Dunith, who once withdrew from Sri Lanka U19 team for O/L’s returns as skipper

Published

5 years ago

2021/10/9

by Reemus Fernando

In 2018 when the Sri Lanka Under-19 cricket team was selected for a home series against Bangladesh in October, St. Joseph’s College spinner Dunith Wellalage withdrew from the team to concentrate on the O/L examination. That was something very rare. Many are the junior cricketers who give up on education to concentrate on cricket. It was probably the first such occasion in recent times. Exactly three years after that decision, which was backed by his parents and the Darley Road College, Wellalage is returning to lead the side against Bangladesh.

When The Island carried the news of Wellalage’s withdrawal from the team in 2018 there was praise for this young cricketer from Moratuwa who had been excelling as a spinner in every junior schools cricket tournament since he was eleven years old.

He was among the key strike bowlers for St. Sebastian’s Under-13 from the time he started playing in that age category. At St. Sebastian’s, he received a well deserving place in the Under-15 team when he was still eligible to play in the Under-13 team. He is one of the very few players to have played in an Under-15 Division I team for three consecutive years, two for St. Sebastian’s and one for St. Joseph’s. In his very first year in the Under-15 team, he became the key strike bowler for St. Sebastian’s. His left-arm spin was crucial in the team reaching the Under-15 Division I tournament final in both 2015 and 2016. The Sebs ended up runners up on both occasions but Wellalage was adjudged the best bowler of the tournament on both occasions. By the time the Singer Junior Cricket Awards Ceremony for 2015 and 2016 seasons was held in 2017 he had moved to St. Joseph’s.

At St. Joseph’s Wellalage blossomed not only as a bowler but also as a reliable late order batsman who could save them on many occasions forming crucial partnerships with paceman Lakshan Gamage. One of his first major contributions with the bat for St. Joseph’s Under-19 team incidentally came in the match against his former school in 2018 January when he scored 85 runs in the Joes’ massive total of 416 in reply to Sebs’ 334 for seven declared.

In the 2017/18 season Wellalage was the Joes’ highest wicket taker with a tally of 72 wickets (after 18 matches). He had probably bowled more than any other bowler that season bowling over 400 overs of which over 80 overs were maidens. When the season concluded with St. Joseph’s winning the knockout tournament on first innings points against Trinity, Wellalage was the key strike bowler taking four wickets. The following season he played only eight matches but when the next season started, he started to excel more as a batsman than a bowler. One of his most remarkable batting performances was against Isipatana when he hammered 197 runs (in 179 balls) in a Joes’ total of 402. That season he scored over 700 runs in 15 matches and had an aggregate of over 50 wickets.

Probably the best of Wellalage, both as a batsman and a bowler was yet to be witnessed when school cricket came to a standstill in March 2020 due to Covid 19. But when the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association conducted a curtailed Under-19 Limited Overs Tournament in May this year Wellalage was playing a different role leading St. Joseph’s as captain. And the Joes went on to win the Under-19 Division I Tier ‘A’ Limited Overs Cricket title beating Royal in the final.

The selectors have picked Wellalage to lead the team on merit of his experience after being in the junior national setup since 2018. Nalandian Raveen de Silva is his deputy. Silva too has been in the setup since 2018. Incidentally, it was de Silva who filled Wellalage’s place when the latter withdrew from the team for his O/L in 2018.

Sri Lanka Under-19 team is currently in Dambulla preparing for the series against Bangladesh. The first match will be played on October 15.

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Sports

Sri Lanka claim ODI series 1-0 after another washout in Kingston

Published

5 hours ago

2026/06/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

Kusal Mendis poses with the series trophy

For the second game running in Kingston, persistent rain forced an ODI between West Indies and Sri Lanka had to be abandoned without a ball being bowled. This one – the third and final ODI in this series at Sabina Park – meant Sri Lanka secured the trophy with a 1-0 margin, courtesy the 41-run victory they enjoyed in the series opener.

The umpires had several inspections, but after discussing with curators they decided that getting play started by the cut off of 8.02pm for a 20-over-shootout was almost impossible.

While the mood around both camps might be damp, both literally and metaphorically following two straight washouts, the outcome is still a landmark one for the visiting Lions. It is their first ODI-series victory in the Caribbean in 23 years – the last coming in 2003. A positive start for their newly appointed head coach Gary Kirsten and their new ODI captain Kusal Mendis, although they would’ve liked to have seen more in-game action from the players.

“Very happy to win the series, we did really well in that one game – in all three departments,” Mendis said. “There are not a lot of matches ahead of next year’s World Cup, happy with my first series victory as captain. Got support of the staff too.” He also praised the bowling unit.

For West Indies, the weather and the subsequent series result is undoubtedly a frustrating blow. Denied a chance to avenge their opening game defeat, it’s not only a first series loss at home in three years but, more critically, it’s a result that hinders their pursuit of vital ICC ranking points required for automatic, direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

West Indies, for now, remain in tenth place in the ODI rankings, just outside of the top eight qualifying spots. They have ODI series campaigns against New Zealand (World No. 2) and India (No. 1) coming up next.

“You can’t control mother nature,” Shai Hope said. “Credit just be given to the Sri Lankan team for the way they played in the first game. [T20I series next] We need to look ahead, understand conditions. Adaptability will be key in Jamaica. We’ve got some experience, hope to bounce back there.”

Both sides will rapidly shift focus to the shortest format as a three-match T20I series is scheduled to kick off on Thursday, June 11, with subsequent matches on June 13 and June 14.

However, the teams will not be changing hotels just yet; all three T20Is are slated to take place at the exact same venue in Kingston. With rain expected to be a presence across Jamaica over the coming week, groundstaff will have their work cut out for them to ensure the upcoming matches escape a similar watery fate. Those matches will all start at 7.30pm local time.

[Cricinfo]

Sports

Hirun, Menula steer Isipatana to five-wicket win over St. Benedict’s

Published

5 hours ago

2026/06/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

Isipatana College Colombo produced a disciplined all-round performance to register a comfortable five-wicket victory over St. Benedict’s College Kotahena in their Under-17 Division I cricket encounter at BRC ground on Tuesday.

‎Chasing a modest target of 165, Isipatana suffered an early setback when Hasindu Kethmina fell with only three runs on the board. However, Savain Wijewardana and Hirun Wattegedara steadied the innings with a valuable second-wicket stand.

‎Savain made 30 off 48 balls before being dismissed, while Hirun anchored the chase with a composed 66 off 104 deliveries that included three fours and two sixes. His knock laid the foundation for the successful run chase.

‎Menula Dambakumbur

අ played an aggressive innings of 47 from just 45 balls, striking three boundaries and a six. His partnership with Hirun carried Isipatana close to victory before both batters departed late in the innings.

‎Kumar Abishek remained unbeaten on 3 as Isipatana reached 165 for 5 in 36.4 overs, sealing victory with many overs to spare.

‎For St. Benedict’s, Thisum Perera was the most successful bowler with figures of 2 for 31 from 10 overs, while Paranthaman Rohinth, Sethun Perera and Theumika Perera claimed a wicket each.

‎Earlier, St. Benedict’s were bowled out for 164 in 47.1 overs despite a fighting half-century from Paranthaman Rohinth. Rohinth top-scored with 54 runs off 75 deliveries, striking five fours and a six, while Sethun Perera contributed 19 and Daham Premasiri added 19 lower down the order.

‎St. Benedict’s struggled to build substantial partnerships as wickets fell at regular intervals. Rohinth’s dismissal at 101 for 4 in the 29th over triggered a middle-order collapse, leaving the innings heavily dependent on contributions from the lower order.

‎Isipatana’s bowlers shared the workload effectively. Nithila Athukorala and Kumar Abishek claimed two wickets apiece, conceding just 21 and 19 runs respectively. Abiru Walpola also picked up two wickets, while Hirun Wattegedara, Hiruna Vidushan and Anuhas Pandithage chipped in with one wicket each.

Scores:

‎St. Benedict’s 164 all out in 47.1 overs

(Paranthaman Rohinth 54, Sethun Perera 19, Daham Premasiri 19; Nithila Athukorala 2/21, Kumar Abishek 2/19, Abiru Walpola 2/33).

‎Isipatana 165 for 5 in 36.4 overs (Hirun Wattegedara 66, Menula Dambakumbura 47, Savain Wijewardana 30; Thisum Perera 2/31).

‎In the other matches played on Tuesday, Kingswood beat St. Thomas’ Matale y seven wickets while St. Sebastian’s Katuneriya beat Maris Stella, Thimbirigaskatuwa by two wickets.

[RF]

Sports

44th Executive Committee to steer MCA in 2026/27

Published

5 hours ago

2026/06/10

Sahan Weerasooriya

The 44th Executive Committee of the Mercantile Cricket Association

Seated from left:

Lakmal de Silva [Exco Member] .Rohan Somawansa [Vice President], Thushan Amarasuriya [Senior Vice President] Sirosha Gunatilake [President ], Achintha Hewanayake [General Secretary], Tarinda Kaluperuma [Vice President] , Hasitha Dassanayake [Treasurer ]

Standing from left:

Samantha de Mel [Exco Member], Sajith Atapattu [Assistant Treasurer ], Ajith Siyambalapitiya [Assistant Secretary], Pramodth Fernando [Exco Member], Anil Hapugoda [Exco Member], Ashan Peris [Exco Member], Feroze Ahamed [Exco Member]

Founded in 1911 as the ‘Mercantile Cricket Competition’, the Mercantile Cricket Association (MCA) has evolved under the stewardship of distinguished cricketing personalities — from its first President, to Sirosha Gunatilake its 44th President and the 30th Sri Lankan to hold the post.

Over the years, the MCA has made significant investments in cricketing infrastructure to further the development of the sport across the country and continues to play a vital role in nurturing cricketing talent within the mercantile sector and beyond.

Today, the MCA is recognized as one of the foremost cricket-promoting associations in Sri Lanka and has served as a model for many of the tournament structures adopted by Sri Lanka Cricket.

The Association annually conducts seven major tournaments and more than 500 matches, including the Super Premier League to Rising Leagues, the Mercantile Six-a-Side Tournament, the Over-40 Sixes, T10 and T20 competitions, the MCA Inter Academy Invitational Tournament, and the MCA Ladies Sixes (Softball) Tournament, which was introduced to promote women’s cricket and encourage greater participation of ladies in hard-ball cricket.

The 44th Executive Committee that will steer Sri Lanka’s premier corporate cricket association through 2026 / 2027:

President

– Sirosha Gunatilake Managing Director, (Trendex Lanka (Pvt) Ltd)

Senior Vice President –

Thushan Amarasuriya Managing Director/ Executive Director, (Singer Sri Lanka PLC)

Vice Presidents-

Tarindra Kaluperuma Executive Director , (Stafford Motors Co. Ltd)

Rohan Somawansa Head of Marketing and Corporate Communication / Director (DSI Samson Group (Pvt). Ltd)

General Secretary

Achintha Hewanayake Director/CEO/President , (CL Synergy Limited)

Treasurer

Hasitha Dassanayake Chief Sales & Digital Business Officer, (Citizen Development Business Finance PLC)