Hemantha topples Tyron but Jaleel continues dominance
Alas, St. Peter’s College skipper, Dushan Hemantha, managed to topple Richmond College’s A.K. Tyron to snatch the competition’s second slot as Thurstan College’s Minhaj Jaleel continues to dominate the 34th Bata-the Sunday Times Most Popular Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2013 for the tenth consecutive week.
The deficit between Tyron and Hemantha was 109 votes last week but by this week the latter has managed to secure the second spot with a slender lead of 22 votes. Hemantha received 154 votes last week as Tyron’s progress slowed down somewhat, with him only managing 23 votes through the week. However it is evident that Hemantha and Tyron will surely swap places a few more times before the final verdict is given in about nine weeks.
Meanwhile Jaleel continues to enjoy a dominant season as the leader of the main competition. He received 1134 votes, the amount which Jaleel pulls on average. He looks untouchable with a clear lead of 12327 votes over Hemantha.
Trinitian Dinuka Wickramanayake remains in fourth position- despite not receiving a single vote for the week- followed by Madawa Nimesh of Royal College Panadura. Following them are Sachin Bulathsinhala of St. Anthony’s Katugastota, Jason Buultjens of St. Peter’s, Roshan Anuruddha of Gurukula Kelaniya, Damindu Ashan of Royal Panadura, Kusal Mendis of Prince of Wales’ and Royal Colombo skipper Devin Pathmanathan following each other at their respective places.
Sanju Sharuk of Vidyaloka Galle continues to lead the Emerging Schools category followed by Lahiru Vimukthi and Chamika Amarasekara of Sri Sumangala Panadura. Sharuk received 447 votes last week as his count reached 1458. Others on the list are Prasanna Sujith of Uhana MV Ampara, Banuka Manelannga of St. Mary’s Kegalle and former leader Deshan Dhananjaya of Rahula Matara, who are among the top five.
Sanju Sharuk of Vidyaloka Galle continues to lead the Emerging Schools category but his closest rival Lahiru Vimukthi of Sri Sumangala Panadura seems to be clear with his intentions. Vimukthi is 641 votes behind leader Sharuk but with ample time left, and his steady progress, the target seems to be achievable. Chamika Amarasekara of Sri Sumangala Panadura is at third place with an overall tally of 588 votes followed by Prasanna Sujith of Uhana MV Ampara, Banuka Manelannga of St. Mary’s Kegalle and former leader Deshan Dhananjaya of Rahula Matara in the top five.
A new contender, Pavin Lahandapurage of Lyceum International School Wattala entered the fray in fourth position in the International Schools category as Walid Jiffry’s leadership spot falls on precarious ground. Jiffry of Leighton Park has a tally 6785 after receiving 1346 votes this week but Shasika Rathnathilake of Lyceum Nugegoda has indicated a fresh comeback. Last week Rathnathilake received 922 votes to reach the mark of 4674, to trail by 2111, as he is strongly placed at second.
Coupons for the 34th Bata-the Sunday Times Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2013 competition will appear in Wijeya Newspapers’ dailies- the Daily Mirror and Lankadeepa- and also in its weekend English publication, the Sunday Times. Readers will be able to send in as many coupons as they wish in favour of their favourite schoolboy cricketer until the deadline on May 30.
Readers prizes go to: 1. Sepala Jayasekara, 10B82L, National Housing Scheme, Raddolugama, 2. L.M.R. Bandara, 243/1, Hiriyala, Ambagaswewa, 3. L.S.P. Priyantha, 56/19A, St. Jude Mawatha, Mahabage, Welisara, 4. Akila Manelanga, 48, Siddhartha Mawatha, Kegalle, 3.