Richmond factor at Sri Lankan cricket

Dignified Exit 

The splendor of the World Twenty/ 20 Championship is now over with Australia emerging victorious over New Zealand at the finals.  Although Sri Lanka had to bow down during the league stage with only two wins against Bangladesh and West Indies, it was of course a dignified exit and most of all, it was a fine all-round performance by gutty young Sri Lankans at the competition.  This is in spite of the fact that the Sri Lankan outfit had to take the fight from the qualifying stage.  Sri Lankans were unbeaten at the qualifying round and beat the confident Bangladesh team comfortably in the first match of the league round.  Sri Lankans were a young outfit with a number of debutants in the fore. So, their inexperience in the arena of international Cricket made the difference as they were beaten by formidable Australian and South African teams after a superb fight back. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka made an impact on the tournament because of two stellar performances by two young players.  Wanidu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka made history by becoming the highest wicket taker of the tournament and highest scorer at league stage respectively.  Both players have been named in the ESPN Cricinfo world Twenty/ 20 team and the world team picked by Harsha Bhogle, international commentator of Indian fame. This is a moment of pride for all Sri Lankans which indicates the future prospects of our Cricket in Sri Lanka.  Wanidu and Charith beckoned the attention of the world to the tiny island of Sri Lanka even in defeat.  Their innate talents and potentials were a hot topic during the proceedings of the championship and were showered praises by many commentators and analysts of the game.  Wanidu of course, has found a permanent place in the national squad but where did Charith come from? 

A flock of Cricketers from one institution

Charith, a legend in the making, played just three Twenty/20 matches before the world episode. In every match he played in the tournament, he scored handsomely, grossing a total of 231, being the highest run getter at league level.  Wanidu, a flamboyant all-rounder, bagged 16 wickets which earned him the title of being the highest wicket taker of the tournament although Sri Lanka had an early exit from the competition. Charith had to toil for a long time to make it to the national team.  It was made possible at last after three players namely Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella and  Danushka Gunatilake were axed from the team for their late night escapade on a London street, having broken the bio bubble of the team.  Charith, a lad from backward township of Elpitiya was a magical find of the team. However, Wanidu made his debut for the country long before Charith.  It is interesting to note that both players were contemporaries at under 19 First X1 team of Richmond College, Galle. In fact, Wanidu has played under the captaincy of Charith at school circuit. Besides, the leading Test and ODI player Dananjaya De Silva is another product of Richmond College, Galle.  Apart from these classy players, Richmondite Kamindu Mendis too made it to the national squad and was on the stand-by list during the recent world event.  Meanwhile, another up and coming player Dhananjaya Lakshan is knocking the door once again, having made his ODI debut in June 2021.  Veteran Cricketer and Sri Lanka’s interim captain Suranga Lakmal is also a Richmondite from another era. Richmond College, Galle which is without a ground of its own, has produced a score of versatile Cricketers in recent years. What was the secret behind this successful run? 

Coaches of highest caliber 

Nishantha Ranatunge, one time strongman and Hony Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket had an open question for his committee members once.  How does Richmond produce such talented Cricketers? Why don’t you go and find out.  So, they did and the answer was straightforward.  The Cricket Sub Committee reported back that it was the battery of coaches employed by the college which made the difference.  Sri Lanka Cricket decided to keep a tab on its outfit of coaches which was spearheaded by Head Coach Dhammika Sudharshana and Danushka Denagama in particular.  Dhammika Sudhrashana who is a past Richmondite himself, having represented the College first XI, is a superb coach cum strategist par excellence.  His eye for talent is immaculate so that he lined up the best eleven for his alma mater.  This brought rich dividends for the school in the form of three wins in a row at Richmond-Mahinda big match, breaking a 45 year jinx.  His strategy was different in that he had two arsenal of bowlers in the team for two innings which speaks volumes of his Cricketing acumen. From the other end, his junior coach, Danushka Denagama offered unstinting support to the head coach to uplift the game of Cricket at the college.  Although Danushka was educated at Mahinda College, he rendered his services to the rival school.  It is the right chemistry of the right combination.  It is noteworthy that the century old Richmond- Mahinda Cricket encounter is also a sub-culture itself.  While all other schools play big matches which are called battles or encounters, these two schools play ‘lovers’ quarrel’.  These two institutions are bound by a strong bond of love and understanding which stood the test of time.  This is signified by the fact that it was Champaka Ramanayake, a past Test cap and Richmondite, who molded legendary Lasith Malinga, Mahindian to be a world class and one of much sought after players in the international theatre of Cricket. In this sense, Danushka’s contribution to Richmond is justifiable.  As at today, Richmond has produced 6 formidable players to be in the current national squads, thanks to the selfless efforts of Dhammika and Danushka. Richmond College, Galle can truly be proud of this unique feat.  Similarly, Mahinda College too has produced two outstanding players in the caliber of Athula Samarasekera and 1996 world cup winning team member Upul Chandana of the yesteryear. These Galle based two schools contributed players to national service regularly. Today, it is the Richmond factor that works for Sri Lanka but tomorrow, it can be Mahinda College.  Unfortunately, Richmond lost its Cricketing brainchild, Dhammika to Sri Lanka Cricket where he is taking care of the under 19 national team at present.  After all, Richmond’s loss is the country’s gain.