Sri Lanka's number three batsman Roshan Mahanama has been honoured by 'Indian Cricket 1997' which has chosen him as one of its 'Five Cricketers of the Year'.
Mahanama is in the company of South Africans Darryl Cullinan and Gary Kirsten, and Indians Rahul Dravid and Abey Kuruvila, who are the other cricketers so honoured in its 51st edition.
In the company of his illustrious team mate Sanath Jayasuriya, Mahanama helped to establish a world record partnership for any wicket in Test cricket when they added 576 runs for the second wicket against India at the R. Premadasa Stadium in August last year.
While Jayasuriya went on to score a triple century, Mahanama hit a career best 225, which sealed his future in the Sri Lanka team for some time after he had been on the verge of being dropped.
The mammoth partnership enabled Sri Lanka to pile up the highest total in Test cricket - 952 for 6 wickets.
In picking Mahanama, the annual comments : ``In Sri Lanka, courtesy is a way of life and this cricketer in particular is a model of excellent behaviour. While his cricket is on display for the world to see, it his impeccable demeanour off the field that also puts him in a different class''.
Mahanama is the eighth Sri Lankan to be honoured by this prestigious annual which is referred to as the 'Wisden of the East'. Stanley Jayasinghe (1965), David Heyn and Somachandra de Silva (both 1976), Duleep Mendis (1983), Ravi Ratnayeke (1987), Aravinda de Silva (1990) and Sanath Jayasuriya (1996) are those previously honoured.
Peterite-Thomian clash at Moratuwa today
By Chris Dhambarage
The league champions St.Peter's College will face a tough challenge when they confront the formidable S. Thomas' outfit in a Coca Cola Trophy knock out tournament quarterfinal fixture at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa today.
The Peterites who are enjoying a successful season will be determined to put up another good performance in this important fixture too. No doubt the pressure will be really on them and will need a tremendous performance to enter the semi-finals of the tournament.
However the Thomians are quite confident having trounced Lumbini MV convincingly in a pre-quarter-final fixture. The cynosure of all eyes will be on the Sri Lanka youth cap Upeka Fernando who has made some fantastic contributions in the last few outings.
Meanwhile the giant killers Isipatana will meet St.Sebastian's College in another quarterfinal match at the NCC grounds, Maitland Place. Isipatana created a major upset by defeating the defending champions St.Joseph's in the pre quarterfinals and will be making a determined effort to reach the semifinals.
The former champions Ananda will go in as favourites to beat Richmond College in their quarterfinal match at Viharamaha Devi Park. The Anandians proved that they have a fine all round side by defeating Royal in a pre quarterfinal match on Monday. Their two key players will be Sajith Rupasinghe and Nuwan Jayawardena who have been among the wickets during the season.
D.S.Senanayake should have their own when they meet the unfancied Maris Stella side in another quarterfinal match at the P.Saravanamuttu Stadium. They scored a comfortable win over Kalutara MV in the pre quarterfinals and will take this opportunity to warm up for the more important semifinals scheduled for April 3 at the P.Saravanamuttu Stadium and Viharamaha Devi Park.