Ravin Sayer of Trinity has performed well as a spinner to claim many wickets

by Hafiz Marikar

Right-arm off-spin - a kind of art... To bowl right-arm off-spin is not a blessing. There are better ways for schoolboys to enjoy as a cricketer. But for Trinitian mystery spinner Ravin Sayer, it has been a kind of a art which he has been performing for the last two years. There is no doubt that he is the most effective and probably the best in this business and much can be seen from him in the coming season.

He is the fourth bowler under the guidance of Sampath Perera to pocket 100 wickets. Since the year 2008/2009, Sampath produced some good bowlers. To name some of them are: Rukshan Jaleel

(took 128 wicket in 2008/9 season), Akila Jayasundera took 102 wickets in 2010/11, Aamil Anas missed by just 11 wickets in 2011/12, Janiska Premasinghe took 106 wickets in the 2013/13 season, Lakshan Jayasinghe took 96 wickets, he could have reached the target, but four games were abandoned due to wet weather.

After coming to Trinity senior team, Ravin Sayer was groomed in the proper way by their coach Sampath Perera, and now he has turned out to be Trinity College's main stock bowler. He has developed into a class of his own where he had tremendous success with this season's haul. When Sayer started bowling, batsmen were going after him with the hope dictating terms. But, at present, Ravin is doing the same in a more positive manner. He is a bowler, who does not need the help of his teammates to boost his tally by hanging on to those difficult chances. He does not give any room for the batsmen and he is able to take wickets even before they could settle down.

One of his best efforts probably was away from home, which came in England. He represented the Sri Lanka under 17 team which toured England in 2013 and ended up as the most successful bowler by taking 7 wickets in an innings and helped his team to win the test and the series.

He also got the 'break' to play for the Sri Lanka under 17 team against England in Sri Lanka.

In this two series, it was perfect demonstration of spin bowling. Ravin was in absolute control of the situation on both these series.

Some bowlers have the advantage of performing well on their home grounds, considering the conditions and the atmosphere.

Ravin was well aware that London was a long, long way from Kandy. But his 'spin' is effective and only the brave will really survive in it. Ravin is a keen cricketer, and is well guided, so nothing could really spoil his rhythm.

In England, the authorities tried to get rid of him by striking the ball over the fielders. But he was made of hard stuff in that he had the guts to challenge his own tormentors. He did not mind taking the stick, and soon responded to the challenge by throwing the ball up.

The unfortunate young Englishmen fell for the bait and it was a Sri Lankan win.

It was not the first time, where he had taken wickets, on many occasions in front of his home crowd he has performed in similar manner. Today there are plenty of young spinners who come with a bang and suddenly disappear into the wilderness due to poor guidance. But Ravin was not prepared to waste his energy and simply be a passenger in the side. His achievements in the game of cricket, would certainly guarantee him a place in any first eleven cricket side, thanks to his coach Sampath Perera.

Cricket at Trinity College is one of the sports where the boys played eagerly. Cricket was started in 1892 and has dominated the sport and sport scene at present Trinity College has changed in the and have taken a new turn in cricket. Under Principal Brig. Udaya Ariyaratne the performance of Ravin Sayer, has improved with the assistance of his coach Sampath Perera. Last season, Sayer had a haul of 108 wicket in the last season he pocketed 3 for 12 vs Morautwa MV and against Mahinda 1/40, St. Peters 4/42 and 1 for 81, St. Aloysius 7/26 and 5/71, Nalanda 6/49 and 3/12, Bandaranayake M.V. 5/45 and 1/25, Dharmapala 5/14 and 4/46, St.Joseph's 5/82 and 2/37, Dharmasoka 4/17 and 4/74, Mahanama 6/95, Isipathana 7/97 and 6/93, Presidents College 6/33 and 2/42, Ananda 2/94, S.Thomas' 1/99 and 4/60, Royal 4/79 and 4/101, St. Anthony's 3/52 and 3/40, D.S. Senanayake did not play.

Ravin is also a capable batsman.