Salgado still ahead of the pack

Thurstan College skipper Sajeewa Salgado is still in the forefront as the Batathe Sunday Times Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2012 completed its fifth week. Salgado stands tall above the rest by a thick margin of 1710 while competition among the rest heated up. Charith Ruchiranga of Royal Panadura is now being given a close hunt by Angelo Jayasinghe of Maris Stella while Lakshan Edirisinghe of Zahira is also in the fray.

Royal Panadura’s Kavindu Ashan and Madhawa Fernando narrowed the gap between them while Dishan Dissanayake of St. Joseph’s moved down to the seventh place. S. Thomas’ skipper Sachin Peiris who was not placed among the top ten returned to the block pushing down St. Benedict’s skipper Jason Perera further. Perera joins Peterite Thanusha Jayawardane and Maris Stella all-rounder Shehan Dilasri in a mini battle right at the bottom.

Sasindu Perera of St. John’s Panadura, who entered the Emerging Schools competition last week, stamped his authority with a massive lead, overtaking Shenal Dilanka of Piliyandala Central.

Meanwhile, the International Schools category is poised to become an explosive one, as Lakshan Kodagoda of Gateway International still maintains his lead but Nishan Perera of Lyceum Nugegoda, who held the leadership during the first couple of weeks, is making steady improvement. Shehan Hettiarachchi of Royal Institute too seems well poised to make an impact as the competition progresses.

The Sunday Times wishes to remind all officials of schools that have been notified to send in certain information via mail by the organisers. These letters have been sent, addressed to the relevant principals of the cricketers who are in this year’s most popular cricketer competition. All school officials are hereby requested to comply with the deadline which is February 8. Readers can send in as many coupons as they wish until May 23.