ANTONIAN CRICKET 2018/2019 - A SEASON TO REMEMBER

Following an outstanding year in 2017/2018, the Antonian cricket team pressed home the momentum this year to qualify for Division 1 after a lapse of five years. We are back where we belong!

Playing in Division 2 in the last few years, our boys have outclassed most opposition in convincing style but the measure of our strength could only be gauged by how well we perform against strong Division 1 sides. This year, our strength passed the acid test when we demolished a highly rated St Joseph’s College (Colombo) by an innings and came close to defeating Royal and Trinity, unveiling to the Sri Lankan school fraternity as a force to be reckoned with. This season culminated with us reaching the final of the Division 2 tournament, against Royal College Colombo with both teams qualifying to play in the higher league next year.

Our team seen outside Thurstan grounds Colombo following the semi-final win that confirmed our elevation to Division 1.

Led by Theeksha Gunasinghe, we played 15 games outside the knock-out stages, winning six and the rest ending in draws. The victories were achieved against St Joseph’s Maradana, Asoka Vidyalaya, S de S Jayasinghe College, Karandeniya Central, St Thomas’ College Matale and St Peter’s College, Negombo.

Wonder-boy Nimnaka Jayathilaka (123 wickets) and skipper Theeksha (1050 runs) were outstanding this season. Nimnaka captured five 10-wicket hauls and fifteen 5-wicket bags, which included a rare hat-trick against Royal. This was only the third hat-trick by an Antonian in our history, following Kosala Wijeratne (vs St Benedicts in 1995/96) and Sachin Bulathsinghala (vs Wesley in 2013/2104). Theeksha’s tally included three centuries with a top score of 142 against the Joes. A separate write-up on their unique performances is featured in this dance souvenir.

Apart from the efforts of Theeksha and Nimnaka, the emergence of 16-year old Chamidu Wickremasinghe was noteworthy. Opening the batting with another junior player in Asitha Wanninayake (74), Chamidu scored a century in his first innings for the senior side against St Peter’s College, Negombo. The pair put on a rollicking stand of 143 for the first wicket, to help us reach an imposing 470 for 7 on the first day. Chamidu continued his brilliant start to notch up a debut century against Trinity. He was later picked in the national under-19 squad, ironically as an opening bowler. The fact that we have been able to introduce some talented juniors into the first XI side this season, with immediate success, confirms the depth in our cricketing stocks.

Under-19 national cap and off-spinner, Kalhara Senaratne showcased his all-round talent by scoring two centuries. An innings of 106 vs St Joseph’s followed by an unbeaten century against Royal in the final of the Division 1 tournament.

Our future - Chamidu Wickremasinghe, Asitha Wanninayake, Gihan Ebert and Nimnaka Jayathilaka will serve our side for at least another three years.

Whilst our first XI boys were dominating the season, the junior cricketers were plotting their own pathway to success. The Under-13 side reached the final of the division 1 tournament, showcasing the pool of talent our cricket is nurturing and to further reinforce the view that Antonian cricket will be a major force for many years to come.

To add icing to the cake, our first XI side brought home more glory by winning the inaugural Kandy Schools Premier league T20 Tournament.