Best Allrounder - All Island:

Chathuranga Kumara - another Josephian loaded with talent

By Leslie FERNANDO

OBSERVER-MOBITEL: In recent years St. Joseph’s College has produced a fine crop of cricketers who if they are given the right ‘break’ at the right time, are bound to make good at the highest level. Allrounders Angelo Matthew and Thisara Perera both Josephians have already played for Sri Lanka with distinction and are certain to gain berths again to the national team as well. Another player who has given a clear indication about his potential is the talented cricketer Sumithrarachchige Chathuranga Kumara of St. Joseph’s College who won the Best Allrounder All Island award at the 32nd Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest 2010.

Chathuranga Kumara, for his tremendous performances in the 2009-2010 schools cricket season, was selected to the Sri Lanka Under-19 pool for the tour of England. Presently our youth team is playing against England under-19 team in unofficial ‘test’, Twenty20 and ODI’s. Chathuranga was unlucky not to be picked for this tour. According to several critics, the promising and talented allrounder deserved a place in the side for his consistent performances with bat and ball. But for reasons better known to SLC, he was left out. Bad luck Chathuranga, keep on trying.

Tall and slim Chathuranga bats right-handed and is competent no. 4 bat. He has an ideal temperament and ability to play within his limits.

He amassed 985 runs for St. Joseph’s including centuries against St. Sylvester’s College (142), Moratu Vidyalaya (102 n.o.), St. Anthony’s College (114) and D.S. Senanayake College (unbeaten 101). He also hit five half centuries.

Chathuranga’s bowling average was as good as his batting. Right-arm medium placeman Chathuranga captured 68 wickets, bowling 360 overs he claimed 6 for 56 against Isipathana College, 6 for 60 against Maris Stella College, 5 for 26 against de Mazenod College, 6 for 50 vs St. Sylvester’s College, Wesley 6 for 13 (the best bowling figures for the season), 5 for 32 and 6 for 40 against Ananda. He had 5 wickets in an innings 7 times and match haul of ten wickets once.

The main virtue is his ability to maintain a good line and length and aided by a fine temperament, he can bowl for long spells.

A fine strokeplayer and a clever bowler Chathuranga, is a very fine fielder too. Proof of this fielding came to light, in the ‘Big Match’ against St. Peter’s College where he grabbed quite a number of catches both close to the wicket and in the deep.

His best moment on the cricket field was when he captured four important wickets at the age of 15 years for the Josephians against Peterites in 2008. Joes beat the Petes after 35 years.

He learnt the basics of the game under the guidance of Rev. Fr. B.S. Perera (coach) when he was playing under-13 cricket in 2002 for Sri Jayawardenapura MMV, Kotte. In 2003, he captained under-13 side and showed his progress, scoring 159 against Wesley College and an unbeaten 199 against Asoka College, Colombo. In 2004, he came over to St. Joseph’s College and he played for the under-13, under-15, under-17 and under-19 teams. Chathuranga is presently playing for Colts CC in the under-23 tournament and is performing well as a fine allrounder.

Chathuranga said that he was happy at being picked as the Best Allrounder.