Sangabodhi College, Nittambuwa yearning for a 'Big Match' in cricket

By Anushka WITHANAGE

CRICKET: Sangabodhi College, Nittambuwa, who have been playing first XI cricket for 12 years, are expecting to see a long felt dream come true this year.That is when they play their inaugural big match this year.

The college principal D.N.K.G.B. Disanayake speaking to Sunday Observer said that still their big match opponents have not been finalised.

"We will have to select from a few schools in Gampaha.

Presently, we are having discussions with some schools to finalise it," he said.

Cricket was introduced to Sangabodi College, Nittambuwa in 1996. They are playing in the Division III. At Sangabodi College, cricket begins from Under-12 age group.

The first XI cricket team won third place in the Lemonade Cup tournament in (1999), Under-13 team was selected to the second round of the Astra Cup (2007) and the Under-15 team qualified to the quarter-finals of the 'Lakbima Tournament' (2008)

Cricket has now reached a adequate standard at the school in comparison to the early years. Cricketers have improved immensely with technical and other skills, he said.

There are two coaches, namely R.M. Sahan Niroshan who is the General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Cricket Association and the other coach is W.L.P. Gamini Wijesinghe. He is an Umpire of the Sri Lanka Cricket Association and the School Cricket Association, respectively.

According to coach Sahan, the difference between Colombo Schools and Outstations Schools is that Colombo Schools have a lot of opportunities to develop whereas outstations schools have only limited facilities.

Sangabodi College first XI team is scheduled to play Anura Central College Yakkala, Chandrajothi College Yakkala, Senarath Paranvithana College Udugampola, Kiridiwela Central College, Henagama Central College, St. Thomas College Bandarawela and St. Aloysius College Ratnapura, respectively.

"Actually our school cricket team has no big history. But, our team is a big challenge to other Gampaha District school teams in cricket," said Sangabodi College captain Amila Shan.

The school has set up an organisation called the Past Cricketers Association and also another organization called Cricketers' Parents Association to look into the welfare of the cricketers and improve on the quality of cricket at the school.

Samantha Guruge (District Coach) and Rathnasiri Bandara (Master-in-charge) are also assisting the team.

The leading batsmen in the team are Hansaka Tamara, Amila Shan, Kasun Anurudda, Udesh Nuwan and Mohomend Afraz. Akila Milan is the top spinner in the team. He is a right-arm off-spinner. Chamara Atapattu, Kasun Eranga, Nirmal Madushanke, Sumith Nisala are the leading pacemen in the team.