Lasantha Rodrigo

Lasantha Rodrigo
Personal information
Full name
Lasantha Naomal Genoris Rodrigo
Born (1938-05-28) 28 May 1938 (age 86)
Moratuwa, Ceylon
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm off-spin
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 14
Runs scored 455
Batting average 16.85
100s/50s 0/2
Top score 89
Balls bowled
Wickets –
Bowling average –
5 wickets in innings –
10 wickets in match –
Best bowling –
Catches/stumpings 3/–
Source: Cricinfo, 14 April 2017

Lasantha Rodrigo (born 28 May 1938) is a former cricketer who played 14 matches of first-class cricket for Ceylon between 1959 and 1971.

Life and career

Lasantha Rodrigo was born in Moratuwa and attended Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa, where he captained the cricket team in 1958 and 1959, and also captained the Ceylon schools team.[1] His father, J. B. C. Rodrigo, was principal of Prince of Wales' College from 1933 to 1959.[2]

He made his highest first-class score on his debut, in the Gopalan Trophy match in 1958–59, when he scored 89.[3] Batting at number three, he top-scored with 44 for Ceylon in their one-day match against the touring Australians in April 1961.[4] He toured India with the Ceylon team in 1964-65, playing in all three matches against India, but with only moderate success.

He worked for Ceylon Cold Stores for 31 years as a mechanical engineer. Inability to take time off work to play cricket shortened his cricket career.[1] In 2014 he was formally honoured by Sri Lanka Cricket for his services to cricket in Sri Lanka, and awarded 300,000 rupees.[5] In September 2018, he was one of 49 former Sri Lankan cricketers felicitated by Sri Lanka Cricket, to honour them for their services before Sri Lanka became a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC).[6][7]

Rodrigo lives with his wife Sweenie in Moratuwa, opposite Prince of Wales' College. They have a daughter and a son.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Thawfeeq, Sa'adi (25 July 2010). "Rodrigo, a fine technician". The Nation. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  2. ^ Aponso, Hyasti (7 October 2013). "Remembering Rodrigo, a principal with a passion for cricket". Island Cricket. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  3. ^ "Ceylon Cricket Association v Madras 1958-59". CricketArchive. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  4. ^ "Ceylon v Australians 1960-61". CricketArchive. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  5. ^ "SLC Felicitates Past Cricketers of Ceylon". Sri Lanka Cricket. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 14 April 2017.
  6. ^ "Sri Lanka Cricket to felicitate 49 past cricketers". Sri Lanka Cricket. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  7. ^ "SLC launched the program to felicitate ex-cricketers". Sri Lanka Cricket. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2018.