Devapathiraja College team: Front row seated from left: Lakshi Abhimani, Sanjana Kavindi, Achini Dinusha (POG), Mahesh Sandaruwan (Coach), Sumudu Nisansala (Capt.), K. M. de Silva (Principal), Hiruni Hansika (Vice Capt.), Dinusha Manoji (MIC), Rashmi Nethranjalee, Hirunika Niwarthani, Mahinsa Nethmini. Back row from left: Dewmi Dahamsa, Hiruni Kaushalya, Januni Kavindi, Vibuddhi Hiranya, Anuki Imandi, Shehara Induwari, Chamalsha Dewmini, Nethangi Suranjalee, Senuri Wasana, Chamisha Nethmi.
The first women’s school cricket match held at an international venue, the ‘Battle of the Heroines’ between Devapathiraja Vidyalaya, Rathgama and Wadduwa Central College will be held on April 27th at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
This match consists of 90 overs a side and hosted by Devapathiraja College this time.
The annual women’s cricket match between the two women’s cricket teams between the two mixed schools of two provinces was organized by the present principal of Devapathiraja College, Rathgama K. Samda Silva, and Nayana Damayanti, the principal of Wadduwa Middle School.
In this maiden Battle of the Heroines, Devapathiraja women’s cricket team will be led by Sumudu Nisansala and Wadduwa Central women’s cricket team will be led by Malithi Avishka.
Women’s cricket in Rathgama Devapathiraja College was started in 2013 under the leadership of Naleen Samarasinghe, who was the principal at that time. Devapathiraja College cricket team won the runner-up title in the National Women’s Cricket Championship held in 2014. SInce then Devapathiraja team won the national title in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023. They emerge runner-up in 2022 and won the third place in 2021. It is a record that no other school has schieved. Devapathiraja has produced seven National women’s players so far. They are Kavisha Kalhari, Umasha Nimeshani, Sachini Nisansala, Imesha Dulani, Kavya Kavindi and Sashini Gimhani.
The present captain of the Devapathiraja women’s cricket team, Sumudu Nisansala, Hiruni Hansika, Rashmi Nethranjali, Sanjana Kavindi, and Netagi Suranjali, are the players who represent the Sri Lanka national under-19 women’s cricket squad. From the begining Devapathiraja College is guided by head coach Mahesh Sadaruwan.
Wadduwa Central started women’s cricket in 2016 during Principal S. T. A. Gunaratne’s tenure.
Wadduwa Middle School also has provided eight players to the Sri Lanka under-19 women’s cricket team along with Nethmi Poorni. Dhanushka Rammuthu is the head coach of Wadduwa Central women’s cricket team since its inception.
(Karandeniya Group Anuradha Priyadarshan)