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| Sunday, 24 November 2002 |
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Cricket in Jaffna in full swing - no problems at all by LESLIE FERNANDO Cricekt is gaining popularity with plenty of spectator support in the Jaffna District and I personally feel that given more encouragement and assistance from cricket high-ups the standard of cricket will reach a high standard as in the past, said the 18-year-old Pathmanadan Lavendra of St. John's College who was presented the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2002 for Northern Province at the 24th Observer-Bata Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year awards ceremony held on Friday night at the BMICH. Lavendra, the skipper of St. John's said that the cricketers had no problems whatsoever in playing the game in Jaffna. Even during the trouble period, the schools had their matches at different venues. Sixteen schools play competitive cricket and given more facilities, the players are bound to perform well. St.John's college fared prominently, remaining unbeaten winning 4 matches and drawing the other three. Left hand bat Lavendra, scored 462 runs, including a century against Jaffna College. He captured 36 wickets (left-arm medium pace) with 6 for 36 being the best against Jaffna Hindu College. Lavendra said that the 'Big Matches' too, were played this season - St. John's vs Jaffna Central and St. Patrick's College vs Jaffna Central. Both matches draw large crowds. Jaffna District schools cricket team played inter-zonal matches during the 2002 season and he had the honour of leading the side. "We played matches in Vavuniya District, too and the game of cricket is spreading throughout the Northern Province. The school cricketers need top and experienced coaches to handle our young and promising cricketers and I hope that cricket high-ups will take note of this", Lavendra added. St. John's College field teams in four age categories under-13, 15, 17 and 19 and there are over 75 cricketers in the pool. The district coach V. K. Shanmugalingam is doing a fine job to groom the youngsters. Lavendra paid a tribute to his parents Ponniah Pathmanathan and Pathmanathan Indrani for giving him their full support to continue with the game. Lavendra will be the captain again for the 2003 season. |
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