Shane Fernando Outstation Schoolboy Cricketer 1985

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

CRICKET: Observer/Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the year competition gathered momentum from early days and is now a well-established competition. In 1985, Shane Fernando was the Outstation Schoolboy cricketer who former Sri Lanka “one drop” bat Asanka Gurusinha now domiciled in Australia, became the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year (All Island).

Shane Fernando, an equally talented schoolboy from St.Thomas’ College, Kotte was awarded the Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer Outstation for his outstanding performance during the schools cricket season.

Shane Fernando the lad from Kotte, after a short stint of cricket in Sri Lanka left for the UAE in search of greener pastures. While at work, Shane was a member of the United Arab Emirates national cricket team. He was in the 1996 World Cup squad for the UAE.

That was the year that Sri Lanka won the World Cup- in Pakistan. Gurusinha played a prominent role in the win.

Fernando, represented his school in all forms of age groups and became an important member in the team from 1982 to 1985 and led the team in 1984. His best effort in school cricket was twin hundreds ( 179 and 129) against St.Mary’s Chilaw. He was a highly talented player while representing SSC from 1986 to 1991 at the domestic tournaments under the leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga.

In an era where not much of international cricket was played in the country, Fernando toured Thailand for an International Six-A-Side cricket tournament with the Mercantile Cricket Team led by Duleep Mendis.

While representing the UAE, he had the privilege of touring India, Pakistan, Kenya, England and the Netherlands .

Presently, he plays for the Sinhalese Sports Club in the division three tournament. He was a former SLC Media Manager and was attached to the ICC Media unit during the 2011 World Cup Cricket Tournament as a Venue Media Facilities Manager.

Shane Fernando, bringing back nostalgic memories of an event that took place over a decade and a half ago, the time he was playing for school, said the Outstation Schoolboy Cricketer Award in 1985, gave him all the encouragement. He said the competition promising schoolboys hopes and encouragement.

He wished that the show will continue to for many years, so that more and more youngsters will get due recognition and help to enhance their career for the future.