EMERGING STARS SHINE BRIGHT FOR THE ANTONIANS
After a lean run from our top-order batters earlier in the season, the past three weeks have brought a refreshing change — the rise of three young batting talents who have stamped their presence in exciting fashion. Dinul Wijesinghe, Kaushika Kumarasinghe, and Yohan Senanayake have each scored fighting centuries when the chips were down, helping the team secure honourable draws on all three occasions. Their resilience and composure under pressure are reasons to celebrate, and with the right guidance, they can be expected to continue making headlines in the next two seasons, and in the case of Dinul, the next three seasons.
Just yesterday, 17-year-old Yohan Senanayake reminded us of his excellent performances from the champion Under-15 side of 2022. In the 2-day game against St. Sebastian’s College in Moratuwa, Yohan produced a breathtaking, unbeaten 101 off just 83 balls, peppered with 8 fours and 6 sixes. The Antonians, fielding a second-string side just two days after the completion of the Big Match, were reeling at 40 for 5 in pursuit of 333. But Yohan, in tandem with wicketkeeper Nikil Abilash (60*), stitched together an unbroken 161-run partnership for the sixth wicket in just 27 overs to defy defeat.
Last weekend, it was 16-year-old all-rounder Kaushika Kumarasinghe’s turn to shine. Facing arch rivals Trinity at Katugastota, Kaushika blasted a scintillating 136 off 163 balls, featuring 10 fours and 10 sixes. His innings came when the team was in dire straits at 52 for 5, and thanks to crucial stands with captain Charuka Ekanayake (31) and Kevan Fernando (22*), the team clawed their way to a competitive 250 for 9.
The first of the trio to announce his arrival was Dinul Wijesinghe, who turned 16 just ten days before his standout knock against Dharmaraja College at Lake View. Facing a daunting follow-on with a 225-run deficit and the scoreboard reading 38 for 4, Dinul partnered with Thilina Edirisinghe in a 132-run fifth-wicket stand. Thilina’s controversial LBW dismissal for 71 didn’t deter Dinul, who soldiered on to remain unbeaten on 105 (236 balls, 14 fours). He forged two more critical partnerships — 58 runs with Charuka (41) and an unbroken 63-run stand with Kevan (39*) — to guide the team to 291 for 6, securing a draw against the odds. This innings evoked memories of the iconic 1961 clash against the same opponents (Dharmaraja), when the Joseph brothers, Charlie and Michael, strung together a rearguard 227-run partnership after a similar collapse.
These three remarkable innings not only reflect the depth of talent in the squad but also a promising future for Antonian cricket. With perseverance, mentoring, and match experience, Dinul, Kaushika, and Yohan have the potential to become stars in their own right.
