Rahula in sight of Division Two this year

by Priyan de Silva Matara Sports Correspondent

Rahula College led by Y V Nadun Tharanga and Shehan Kahandugoda will make an endeavor to qualify for a birth in the division one tournament conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association. Playing in division two of the schools tournament at present their sights are set on the finals. Rahula College is a strong side this season with many all round players who have represented the Sri Lanka Schools team, Provincial team and the district teams at various age groups.

Y V Nadun Tharanga will lead Rahula College for the second Ruhunu Maya encounter against Dharmapala Vidyalaya and all friendly matches this season. A right hand batsman of repute Nadun opens the bowling for Rahula. Nadun has been a member of the first XI since 2008.

He has been a member of the Matara district under 15, 17 and 19 teams. Nadun as vice captain of the side scored 497 runs and captured 22 wickets last season.

Shehan Kahandugoda leads the team for the SLSCA tournament matches. Shehan is a right hand batsman and bowls right arm fast. Shehan has captained the under 13, 15 and 17 teams and been a member of the Matara district under 15 and under 17 teams.

Harsha Rajapaksha is an all-rounder who is a left hand batsman and bowls Left arm fast.

He has represented the Matara district team, Provincial team and the Sri Lanka Schools team in the under 15 and under 17 age groups.

He is a member of the Southern province under 19 team this year. Harsha achieved the unique feat of capturing all ten wickets for eight runs in the first innings of the game against Devapathiraja College Rathgama this season.

Piushan Kulathunga is another all rounder of repute. He has led the Rahula college under 13, 15 and 17 teams, represented the district, provincial and Sri Lanka Schools under 15 team, and been a member of the under 17 and under 19 southern province team. Piushan is a right hand batsman and a bowls right arm fast.

Lasindu Nimsara is also an all-rounder who is a strength to the Rahula team. He has been a member of the Matara district and the Southern province under 15 and under 17 teams. Lasindu was adjudged the best bowler at the inaugural Ruhunu Maya encounter. He has a century and a season best of 6/56 against Veluwana College this season.

Tharindu Narasinghe keeps wickets for the team again this season. He is an explosive left hand batsman who was a member of the first XI for the past four seasons.

Tharindu represented the Matara district under 15 and under 17teams and was a member of the under 17 southern province team.

Kalana Hasanga is yet another all rounder who has represented the Matara District under 15 and under 17 teams. Kalana is a left hand batsman and bowls Right Arm Off spin.

Mayura Galappaththi is a member of the team for the third year. He is a left hand batsman and is called upon to break up partnerships with his right arm off spinners.

Harindu Jayasingha is a right hand batsman and bowls left arm leg spin.

Sahan Hendawitharana is a Right hand batsman and bowls right arm fast. Nimesh Hettiarachchi, Hashan de Silva, Yasiru Hewanadugala, Thilina Manage , Chamika Nuwan and Thamindu Palliyaguru are freshers.

A birth in the finals of the division two tournament is coach Rohana Ariyarathna's vision for the season.