Wellalage will be the centre of attraction at big match
St Joseph’s cricket team: Seated (L-R)- Torin Pitigala (Asst. Coach), Dilan Ramanayake (Head Coach), Asiri Caldera (Master In Charge), Dunith Wellalage, Shevon Daniel (Captain), Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi (Rector), Rev. Fr. Priyan Tissera (Prefect Of Games), Sadeesh Jayawardena (Vice Captain), Sanjeewa Fernando (Master In Charge – 2XI), Dulaj Madushanka (Trainer), Kavindu Perera (Coach – 2XI). Standing 1st row – Hirun Kapurubandara, Deshan Senevirathne, Avintha De Alwis, Yenula Dewthusa, Gagan Chamodh, Shenuk Serasinghe, Lahiru Amarasekara, Keneth Liyanage, Senodh Soysa, Sahan Dabare. Standing 2nd row – Hiran Jayasundara, Mithira Thenura, Naren Muralidaran, Kaven Pathirana, Muditha Lakshan, Rishma Amarasinghe, Abishek Jayaweera.
Two Sri Lanka’s premier Catholic schools, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo and St. Peter’s College, Colombo, will battle it out for the 88 time in the ‘Battle of the Saints’ for the Rev. Father Maurice J. LeGoc Trophy on today and tomorrow (14-15) at the P. Sara Oval Stadium in Colombo has been postponed indefinitely.
The two schools have produced many national caps. Current Sri Lanka Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, Chaminda Vaas, Thisara Perera, Ashley De Silva, Michael Van Dort, Roshen Silva, Priyamal Perera Sadeera Samarawickrama and present team all rounder Dunith Wellalage are the Josephians who represented Sri Lanka, while the Peterite National players are Roy Dias, Rumesh Ratnayake, Vinodhan John, Amal Silva, Russel Arnold, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Malinda Warnapura and Angelo Perera.
St. Joseph’s College leads the series tally with 12 wins, their last win coming under the captaincy of Ruwantha Fernandopulle in 2008, while St. Peter’s College were the winners of the 2016 encounter under Vinu Mohotty, bringing their tally to 10 wins, which ensured the Rev. Father Maurice J. Legoc Trophy was kept securely in the trophy cabinet in Bambalapitiya. This year St Joseph’s will be led by National under 19 all rounder Shevon Daniel who is one of the top all rounders at the Scholl cricket arena while the lads from Bambalapitiya will be led by National under 19 leg spinner Wanuja Sahan.
St. Joseph Skipper Shevon Daniel, former skipper Dunith Wellalage and wicket keeper Sadeesh Jayawardena have represented National team for the last under 19 World Cup while 19 year old Wellalage did fine leadership during the under 19 World Cup. Undoubtedly all rounder Wellalage is the key player of the St Joseph’s team. He already donned the National Cap to play National T-20 and National ODI series while knocking on the door to the Test team. Actually Wellalage the promising Leg spinner and useful middle order batter was in the National Test squad at Galle and yesterday morning he came from Galle to join with the St. Joseph’s team for his last big match.
The Master in Charge of the St Joseph’s cricket team Asiri Caldera said Dunith Wellalage was released to the College team following a request by the College for this big match. Actually he is in the National Test squad and back to the College team for this big match. Last year Joe- Pete big match played at SSC grounds with out spectators while all three players Dunith, Shevon and Sadeesh missed the big match as first priority for the National duty.
The ‘Battle of the Saints,’ which is renowned for its exciting and competitive brand of cricket, is the only annual two-day cricket encounter that strategically limits the first innings to 60 overs each to create greater interest and result orientation. For the first time in the Joe – Pete history National senior team member will represent the School team.
This unique achievement will complete by Dunith Wellalage entering the record book.
Wellalage is the key player having National and International experience while Peterites have make plan to get his wicket early. In the meantime Peterites skipper Wanuja Sahan who has taken most wickets for the side is expected to get early wickets of three National players Dunith Wellalage, Shevon Daniel and Sadeesh Jayawardena to put pressure on the Joe’s side. Daniel and Wellalage are the two best spinners of the present school cricket arena and their bowling will threaten the St. Peters team.
Dilan Ramanayake the former St Joseph’s cricketer doing great service to his Alma mater as the head coach while former National spinner Roger Wijesuriya the head coach of St Peters once again expected to put up a big challenge to the St. Joseph’s.
Rev. Fr. Rohitha Rodrigo, the Rector of the St. Peter’s College, Colombo, pointed out; “The Joe-Pete fosters a unique sense of brotherhood, unity, peace and harmony and this year, even without spectators at the grounds the spirit will prevail. Let me express my gratitude to all who fought back with courage, discipline and responsibility during the pandemic to overcome the challenges. My sincere thanks to our Principal sponsor Dialog Axiata for their support for our inspirational brand.”
St. Joseph’s College, Colombo, Rector Rev. Fr. Ranjith Andradi, said: “We have, through divine intervention and the hard work of so many, succeeded in preparing the stage for another Joe-Pete cricket encounter which brings together a spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie that exists in an unbroken chain for generations. I would like to thank the sponsor, Dialog Axiata, and wish both teams the best of luck.”
Joe-Pete big match postponed
The 88th ‘Battle of the Saints’ between St. Joseph’s College Colombo and St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya scheduled to be played today and tomorrow (14,15) at P. Sara Oval grounds has been postponed yesterday evening due to country’s present situation. The joint organising committee of the two schools have decided to get this immediate decision as Government imposed sudden curfew to Western Province yesterday afternoon. The new dates of this big match will be notified later.