Kingswood - a well balanced cricket side this year

By Hafiz Markar

A well balanced team... Kingswood College one of the senior schools in the field of cricket, this year are fielding a balance team. This time, they not only possess a formidable batting line-up, but also a penetrative attack and are sure to give their opponents a run for their money.

So, Kingswood College cricket is on the road to recovery.

Kingswood College was founded by an old Trinitian L.E. Blaze on May 4, 1891. It is one of the oldest schools in Kandy which started cricket, at that time the school was as "The Boys High School" later became Kingswood College. At that time, almost all of the schools in the island had been categorized as state aided government schools, and missionary schools.

In the beginning, grants from the government were available until the school showed signs of having established itself with a solid core of good teachers and a good and expanding complement of students.

Though they first played rugger, it was in the field of cricket, football and hockey they earned name from 1910 to 1980's. It is said today, the backing given to rugby is far more than for other sports at Kingwood.

Today, cricket is given the correct support, thanks to the present principal. A centre wicket was made, and it is said even to keep their cricket gear there was no proper place on the grounds. Principals like Capt. R.B. Rambukwella, Nihal Hearth, Rangith Chandrasekara gave a big hand for cricket, so the present man who is new to the school _ P.G.S. Bandara is going all out to give his best.

Kingswood - top cricketers

Kingswood was one of the schools which has produced several top notch cricketers, who did their school proud with some excellent performances. One of their top years at cricket was in 1962,

the year they beat Trinity College for the first time, since they first played against Trinity in 1955 which Was a draw. In 1962, they won most of their matches, under the leadership of Owen Mottau, his team comprised of S.B. Elikawela, D. Peera, M.H.Marikar, A.H.M. Gazaly, A. Dodanwella, H. Perusinghe, S.G. Jayasundra, L. H de Silva, S. Cottling, D. Mahindadasa, D. Aluwihare and Lionel Sirisena.

In that famous year in 1962, in the game between Kingswood and Prince of Wales, a total of 1119 runs were scored by both teams at a cost of 21 wickets. Kingswood batting first, declared their innings at 443 for 6,with opening batsmen Lionel Sirisena and Owen Mottau scoring 153 each and the next best score came off the bat of A..H.M. Gazaly 29. (Lionel Sirisena's neice is married to the famous cricketer who retired from test cricket Mahela Jayewardene).

Prince of Wales coming in to bat, in the game against Prince of Wales, were not that happy, where Kingwood bowlers bundled out them for 101 with the wickets taken by D. Aluwihara (6 for 47 runs) in just 15 overs.

Prince of Wales, who had to follow-on thrashed the Kingswood bowlers all over to score 476 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their second innings. Hyasti Aponso went on to make 165 runs with some good hits right round the wicket and Ryle de Mel scored 109 with some superb cover drives, and these two hit the Kingdswood bowling attack out of shape.

Kingswoodians were given a task of scoring 205 for victory, were able to score 109 for 3 wickets at end of play.

That year was one of the best years of Kingswood cricket. But they failed to win the big match, against Dharmaraja College. The last win against Dharmaraja dates back to 1958.

Owen Mottau schoolboy cricketer and Best Bat

Kingswood skipper Owen Mottau had a god season as captain and amassed 749 runs at an average of 66.16 in only six games unlike present day where there are around 15 games on the card. Mottau was fittingly picked as the Best Schoolboy batsman.

Thanks to the coach and the man who did a lot for Kingswood cricket for a long spell, W. Hoole.

Then in 1958, Maurice Fernando, brought honour to Kingswood and Kandy, when he was unanimously chosen as the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year by a panel comprising eminent cricketing personalities. He was above S. Thomas' College players Lareef Idroos who was number two, the other contenders were another Thomian and the famous Sri Lanka skipper Michael Tissera, Sarath Silva (Nalanda College).

The others who come to mind who did well were: Shelton Perera, Herbert Jayasuriya, Clifford Ratnavibushana, Derrick Shockman, M. Nizar, J.Mendis, D. Wickremasuriya, Ajith Ganoruwa, Lakshman Galwaduge, Wijaratne brothers Tissa and Lalith, Jerome Grey, Faiz Samad, Mangala Dahrmapreama the 1985 captain who scored a double century against Vidyartha College, Hilmy Gafoor, Nazar Razak represented the Sri Lanka Youth Team in 1987, he is no more. Gayan Fernando, H.N.T.Gamage, Tuan Azari Miskin.

Kingswood cricketers thrive

At one time cricket took pride of place at this school and many cricketers have enjoyed a feast of runs on the pint size grounds at Randles Hills, helping their alma mater to live up to its reputation as a leading cricket playing school. Since the State took over the school, it has been flourishing with the Old Boys rallying round their alma mater to promote cricket.

The lads from Randles Hill area fortunate to retain the services of their former cricketer Roshan Raj Perera under his guidance the school should enjoy a successful season. Rohan Old Kingswoodian from 1969 to 1975. Played for the school from under 12 to the senior team. After leaving school, he played for Bloomfield cricket club, in the 'Daily News Trophy' Trophy in 1975/76.

He followed the Sri Lanka Cricket, level coaching course in 2007. In 2010 did the Level 2 advanced coaching program in Queensland Australia. He also was the coach of Dambulla Central College, and this is his second year at Kingswood, and this is my 2nd year at Kingswood, his present assistant coach is Old Antonian Indika Fernando, played for the school from under 12 to the first eleven. Later for Kandy CC and Kandy Youth SC He is also a level four umpire

Tharindu Liyanage -Kingswood captain

This season they are led by Tharindu Liyanage a fourth year player, who is a stylish left hand batsman and right arm off spinner, who is tipped to give off his best.

The others who have shown their prowess are Dilshan Walisundara a steady right hand batsman, Shanuka Ratnayake a technically correct left hand bat who bats at number one and bowls medium pace, Meedum Weerasinghe a good right arm pace bowler and bats left hand, the two opening bowlers are Avishka Chandrasiri and Misham Athauda both these bowlers are blessed with smooth action.

The rest of the players are Upamal Heenkenda, M .Muaaz, Yashoda Kavinda, Ruwantha Hathurusinghe the stumper, Janith Tennakoon, Salinda Dharmasena, Ganidu Kaushalya, Ganidu Kaushalya, Vimukthi Wijesiriwardena, Jayampath Mahanama, Prasanna Senaratne, Saumya Piyasena

They have played against Richmond College which they lost, and the second game St. Sylvester's 'no decision', and the third game was against Maliyadewa College two days back. And their main game is against Dharmaraja College the big match the oldest big match over here in Kandy.