There were no obstacles. He had all the opportunities from ROGER WIJESURIYA and didn’t waste any.
He quickly grabbed chances that came his way and is now among the best cricketers in schools today. The judges’ selection of Wijesuriya as the best all-rounder and RUNNER-UP IN THE SCHOOLBOY CRICKET OF THE YEAR IN THE ORGA- CEYLON OBSERVER NISED AND WARNER HUDNUT (LANKA) LIMITED SPONSORED CONTEST is a deserving reward for the consistency shown this season—and in fact from the start of his First Eleven career. Last year, he was picked as the best runner-up in the bowler’s contest, and his fine all-round performance this year has earned him greater glory. Roger Wijesuriya was fortunate to reside at Moratuwa—a town renowned for talent.
His school, St. Sebastian’s, and the best in his trade, the De Soysa Park, were close to his house. So growing up in these surroundings, it was only natural talent that made Roger take cricket seriously from his early days.
Here’s his proud record:
1970: At the age of 10 years, he captained the under-13 cricket team of St. Sebastian’s College.
1972: Roger played for the under-14 school team.
1973: Captained the 14-member team at school.
1974: Played for the school’s under-16 team.
1975: Captained the under-16 school team.
With each passing year, he came out a better cricketer, and in 1975 he was picked as the runner-up to the Best All-Rounder in the Under 16 Schools Cricket Tournament organized by the Schools Cricket Association. He played for the first eleven team from 1975 and is expected to captain St.
This year is his fourth in the St. Sebastian’s team and it has been a highly successful He had a haul of 92 wickets, averaging 15.64 apiece, and many good knocks with the bat. Some batting performances include 62 vs. St. Benedict’s, 49 vs. St. Anne’s, 31 vs. Royal, and 38 vs. Thurstan. He also turned out to be a Sebastianite, who won the ‘Donovan Andree Trophy’ this year. He made 72 not out against Moratuwa Cricket Club and, in the deciding match against BRC, 58 not out.
As a bowler, Roger Wijesuriya was was among the best in his trade. Left-arm spin bowling and the match against Thurstan this season will live long in his memory. He had six scalps for 22, which included a brilliant hat trick.
Roger Wijesuriya missed Inter School matches this season during the time that the Australian under-19 team was here; otherwise, he would certainly have topped the bowler’s “ton.” But playing against the 1972 Australian under-14 and under-19 teams brought his school team added glory. He took 2 for 15 in the second Limited Over match in Colombo and was awarded the Best Bowlers Award for it, while in the Colombo Test, he took 5 for 115.
Therefore, in the Galle Test, which Sri Lanka lost, Roger bowled a marathon spell from the Ramparts end as the other bowlers just could not contain the Australians. Roger Wijesuriya bowled 38 overs, tucked a maiden to it, and had 2 for 151. It was a fine piece of sustained-rate bowling, and the visiting team’s manager, Mr. John Edwards, picked Wijesuriya as the best Sri Lankan bowler in that match.
Roger Wijesuriya is also a fine athlete, excellent in high jump and hurdles, and a basketball player too. As a bowler, Roger was among the best. Though indulging in sports, Roger has a good academic record too. He has been Head. He was also prefect of St. Sebastian’s from 1977, and this year was awarded the prize for the best all-round student of the college. Read More: Duleep Mendis is Jubilant for his team’s Success in the 1986 Asia Cup Final.
