Dunith – talented cricketer and a prolific run getter
Former St. Sebastian’s College prolific run scorer, former Badureliya CC, Under 23 Cricket Captain cum right hand opening batsman Dunith Jayathunga, recently guided Badureliya to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Under 23, 50 over cricket tournament Semi Finals.
He equalled St. Sebastian’s College all time batting records held by Susil Fernando, Suranga De Silva and Oshada Fernando by scoring 1000 runs in two consecutive inter school cricket seasons.
At present Dunith is turning out for Panadura CC in the Sri Lanka Cricket Premier ‘A’ division Cricket tournament. Speaking exclusively to the Daily News, Dunith said “It is my father’s dream and I have loved cricket since my childhood, so it made me enter the world of sports”.
“My father, mother and sister are the ones who supported me the most. I must thank my first coach Sunil Saluwadana and other coaches Rumesh Rangana, Sunil Silva, Imal Botheju and Rashan Peiris. So I’m really grateful to all of them for the support I have received all throughout my journey. “Since my childhood I watched cricket matches which made me to love cricket and that’s the main reason why I chose the game of Cricket”.. “Actually, it’s really hard to be a cricket player. We have to work harder than others and even our leisure time has to be sacrificed”.
“My favourite cricketer is Australian Marnus Labuschagne and during my leisure time I do traveling and spend time with nature”. I had the opportunity to seek advice from Kumar Sangakkara at an Under 15 provincial cricket tournament and that was my most unforgettable memory in my life so far and to date I really cherish that moment”. “My main priority is to spend the time with my family and my favourite holiday destination is Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka”.
“I always try to compare myself to Marnus Labuschagne, the Australian cricketer. “Scoring back to back 1000 runs in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 season was my greatest accomplishment so far”. “Receiving the blessings of Rev. Fr. Rector Ranjith Andradi was the best compliment I have ever received in my life thus far”.
“I am very happy with all my achievements so far as a young man and in life I’m always settling for what am doing”. “My most embarrassing moment on the Cricket field that I will never forget is, celebrating myself four runs short to reach 1000 runs mark for the season”,
“When I grow up I want to be a disciplined player and a useful person to the society”. “The pandemic has taught me that without teammates and coaches how to manage my physical fitness and other practices”.
“Finally In life I like to describe myself as an honest and a funny person concluded Dunith Jayathunga.