Inaugural one-day 'Big Match' April 27.:

St. Anthony's Panadura takes on Shasthrananda Dehiwela

by Susil Ratnaweera - Panadura North Group Corr.

CRICKET: A 50-over cricket match for the first time with big match status will be on the cards on April 27 for the Sampath Gunatilake Trophy between St. Anthony's Boys College, Panadura and Shasthrananda College, Dehiwela at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa. The match starts at 9 a.m.

It was Alex Fonseka - the Principal of St. Anthony's College Panadura who introduced cricket to the school in 1944. The master-in-charge of cricket at St. Anthoney's is H. Kumarasiri Peiris. Cricket was introduced at Shasthrananda College by the first Principal M.B.W. Piyatissa and the present Principal P.P.D.C. Pathirana worked hard for the development of the game at school.

The game caught the interest of the boys at both schools over the years and after hard work a 'big match' has been born. The present teacher-in-charge of sports at Shasthrananda College is Ven. Madugasthalawa Wimala Buddi Thera who takes keen interest in cricket and other sport activities.

This inaugural limited-over cricket match between St. Anthony's College Panadura and Shasthrananda College, Dehiwela is sponsored by Help Lanka, England and Home Field School.

St. Anthony’s (Boys) College, Pandura - Seated (from left) : Roshan Jayashantha, Eranda Hasitha (Captain), Dasum Nisanka (Assistant Coach), Ven. Onegama Upali Thera (Deputy Principal), J.M.D. Srath Mahinda (Principal), H. Kumarasiri Peiris (Master-in-charge), Basil Jinendra (Coach), Premal Malinda, Chaturanga Devapriya (Vice-Captain). Standing (from left) : Nadeesha Sudharshana, Nuwan Dhanushka, Mohamed Silmi, Dinushka Madushanka, Sahan Janitha, Shanuka Lakshan, Dinesh Dimantha, Maura Chaturanga, Dulap Sulakshana. Absent : Rohan Suresh, Sauru Sankalpa, Shanaka Priyamal. Pic. by Susil Ratnaweera - Panadura North Group. Corr.

Shasthrananda College ... Seated (from left): Suranga Priyadharshana (Coach), Charith Kumara (Vice-Captain), Ven. M. Wimala Buddhi Thera (Master-in-charge), P.P.D.C. Pathirana (Principal), Isuru Udayakumara (Captain), Kapila R. de Silva (Coach), Middle row (from left) : Udeep Kumara, Lahiru Namal, Sampath Maduranga, Manoj Veranga, V.H. Sumith, Channa Kasun, Manoj Dilan, Amila Madusanka. Back Row (from left) : Sanjeewa Gamage, Chaturakumara, Nipuna Nishantha, Shanaka Shean, Gayan Sandatuwan, Roshan Priyakumara. Pic. by Susil Ratnaweera - Panadura North Group Corr.