Best Captain - All Island:

Chathura Peiris leads u20 team to England

By Leslie FERNANDO

OBSERVER MOBITEL: Peterite captain Chathura Peiris who is presently leading the Sri Lanka under-20 Youth Team against England under-20 in two four-day “Test matches”, two T20 and five one-day internationals, was the winner of the Best Captain’s award at the 32nd Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest 2010.

Tall, left-handed batsman and left-arm placeman, Chathura Peiris, had proved himself to be an admirable leader. He has been the unanimous choice as captain of the Sri Lanka Youth Team at the 2009-2010. Youth World Cup, in New Zealand, under-19 tour of Australia and South Africa and the Tri-Nation Tournament held in Sri Lanka. Chathura has the distinction of captaining the Youth Side in two World Cup tourneys in Malaysia and New Zealand. He also has made two trips to Bangladesh with the Sri Lanka under-19 sides in 2007 and 2009 as a player.

Incidentally, Chathura Peiris holds somewhat of a record in touring with the schoolboy cricketers of the country on seven occasions.

Prior to leaving for England for the matches against their counterparts, Chathura said that the team is ready to face any challenge as the present side includes ten players who played in the last Youth World Cup in New Zealand.

Most of the team members have a lot of experience playing in at the youth level competition games and they are bound to excel. “I am very proud and happy that the schools cricket authorities together with selectors of Sri Lanka Cricket have kept lot of faith on me. It is not an easy task, but, with the support of my team members I hope to perform well and bring credit to the country”, said Chathura.

He said that there are several players in the tour party who have won awards at the 32nd Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest. 2010, namely vice-captain Kithruwan Vithanage, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, the schoolboy cricketer of the Year, Romesh Buddhika, Denuwan Rajakaruna, Sanitha de Mel, Suranga Rajaguru and D. Gunathilleke. They are bound to perform well during the tour. Chathura Peiris! first love is cricket. He has been playing for St.Peter’s College from 2004 and has led the under-17 side. He has been the Peterite under-19 skipper since 2007. His able leadership has helped the college to be the outstanding cricket team in the island, winning the Best Team All-Island award in 2007 and 2008.

He said that he owe’s his success in cricket to the guidance from the coaches. L.H. Sunil Fernando, Roger Wijesuriya, Chanaka Fernando, Ranmore Martinus and Keerthi Gunaratne.

Chathura who has ‘sat’ for his ‘A’ level examination will not be playing for the college next season but will be playing big cricket for the NCC in the under-23 Tournament.

“I only had the chance of playing five matches for the college last season as I was involved in several Youth International Games. However, I scored over 200 runs and captured 13 wickets. At the 2001 ‘Battle of the Saints’, I had the honour of leading St.Peter’s College to a fine victory after a lapse of 32 years. I made 32 runs and had a match haul of 7 wickets and was awarded the ‘Man of the March Award’. So, I am indeed satisfied with my performances. He thanked the Rector of the School, Rev. Fathers, teachers, coaches, team mates and parents who encouraged me in a big way”. Peiris said.

His ambition is to continue in the game, perform well and hope that in the near future he will get a ‘call’ to the National Team. He is in the National Development Pool and in the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team.

Chathura Peiris complimented the ANCL-Sunday Observer and Mobitel the organisers of the Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year Contest.