Pathmanathan Lavendra is an old Johnian who coaches the first eleven cricket team of St, John’s college, Jaffna. He has a passion for cricket and has completed level two cricket coach course, which was conducted by the Sri Lanka Cricket.
His passion for cricket started from his school days. He was a member of the under 15 team in 1997 - 1999. In 1999 he was the captain of Jaffna District team. In 2002 he captained the Jaffna District Under19 team.
His team became champions in 2002. He was awarded the Observer-Bata School boy Cricketer, Northern Province.
He was the captain of North – East Provincial team in 2003. He played for Sinhalese Sports Club from 2004 – 2009. In 2010 he took the responsibilities as a cricket coach at his Alma – Mater. In 2017 August to 2018 February he became the district coach.
St. John’s College, Jaffna team was developed and lifted to a higher level where they conquered many victories with the guidance of coach P. Lavendra. As the cricket coach he guided the under 17 team to become division III joint champions.
In 2013, their under 19 team became the best team in Northern Province. Johnians became under 13 division II champions 2017/18.
The under 19 team emerged runner up in division III in 2015 and also became best team in Northern Province in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 2019 and 2020 at the Mobitel - Sunday Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year contest.
Following cricketers from St. John’s College, have shown great potential at the top level cricket. Kanagarathnam Kapilraj and S. Jeni Flemin played for U-19 Development squad against South Africa U-19 team in 2017. K. Anton Abishishek was selected to the under 15 development squad while T. Dinoshan is selected for the under19 fast bowling squad.
Kanagarathnam Kapilraj and 19-year old T. Dinoshan were selected for the Jaffna Stallions team in the ongoing LPL tournament.
P.Lavendra has been in the field of cricket for more than twenty four years and has gained vast experience. He has helped in producing District, Provincial and National level players in the past ten years. (YK)
