Team-work was the key to our success, says Josephian coach Dilan

St Joseph champion cricket team pose for a picture after the final. St. Joseph’s team Shevon Daniel (Captain), Dunith Wellalage, Sadeesh Jayawardana, Hirun Kapurubandara, Mithira Thenura, Hiran Jayasundara, Yenula Dewthusa, L. Dissanayake, Rishma Amarasinghe, Deshan Senevirathne, Lahiru Amarasekara, Abhishek Jayaweera, Kenath Sasmina, Shenuk Serasinghe, Senodh Dulvin Soysa, Dineth Jayakody, Asiri Caldera (Master-in-Charge),   Dilan Ramanayake (Head Coach), Kavindu Perera (Assist Coach), Lahiru Wickramasinghe (Assist Coach)   
 

St Joseph cricket team led by Shevon Daniel retained the Under 19 division one Tier ‘A’ cricket championship.The team has good all rounders while head coach Dilan Ramanayake and his supporting staff gave good guidance throughout the tournament to get this success.

“All our plans were well executed in the final to retain the title and our players gave of their best throughout the tournament said head coach Dilan Ramanayake who himself was a former Josephian cricketer .Actually last year we had only five seniors and worked hard to get the title and this time it was much easier with three players Dunith Wellalage, skipper Shevon Daniel and wicket keeper Sadeesh Jayawardena leading the way with their National experience. Actually during our journey to the final we hadn’t many challenges from opponent teams and our all round performance was always very high when competing with other opponent teams .

St Joseph head coach Dilan Ramanayake

We discussed with players off the field and explained how to execute our plans at the match .Talking about the final against Richmond played at Police Park, the wicket was good having been used previous day for the Tier B final .The wicket was dry and we decided to bat first to build up a good total.Our target was to score around 220 runs but finally my players were able to get 257 an additional 37 runs to build up more pressure for the opponents .

Dilan Ramanayake who was the former opener of St Josephs who played for the under 19 team three years in a row from 1996 said my present team has good batsmen from number 1 to 11 and two off spinners and three pacemen always strengthened the bowling department .Skipper Shevon Daniel and Lahiru Amarasekara the useful off spinners and leg spinner experienced Wellalage were leading from the front while Deshan Seneviratne, Mithira Thenura and Muditha Lakshan the fast bowlers and young leg spinner Yenula Dewthusa always was a threat to the opponents.

The skipper Shevon Daniel always got good support from former skipper and National youth skipper Wellalage and these two knew how to control the game with their team members. I think credit should go to all players .

Ramanayake especially mentioned about Dunith Wellalage .He has born talent, well matured and his attitude always good.He has a superb fighting spirit and never gives up . Actually he is a very talented cricketer and as a coach there was no need to guide him .He always realized his responsibility and worked hard for the success .I think this level school cricketers are very few and he has already shown his potential both in National and International level .He knows how to balance all .We saw he played school matches , National under 19 matches including world cup as well as National Super League matches in same period but never mixed up and that was his dedication to the game . Ramanayake is a very experienced coach giving his services to his school as well as several Mercantile cricket teams earlier after he retired from first class cricket in 2008.

I always give freedom to the players and they never misused that. We had to play more matches without three National players due to their National duties. But we did all within our capacity and played well in our big match and won ODI against St Peters without three key players. Most important was we were able to maintain an unbeaten record.

We always work as one family .My players and supporting staff maintained good coordination and my College Rector Fr Ranjith Andradi , Master in charge Asiri Caldera and two assistant coaches Kavindu Perera and Lahiru Wickramasinghe gave good support and Rector Fr Andradi provided all facilities.

Especially we did not have a trainer this season but that part was done by Master in charge Asiri Caldera and really appreciate his service .Next year three seniors are out from the team but all others are able to play and once again hope to build up our strength to get success said coach Ramanayake.