Former Moratu Vidyalaya first eleven cricketer. Moratuwa Sports Club, Kalutara TCC and Ambalangoda Rio Cricket Captain and Nondescripts Cricket Club and former Ananda College, Colombo District, Westerm Province Zone two Cricket Coach Lucky Rogers Fernando is the present Head Cricket Coach of Prince of Wales’ College, Moratuwa.
Lucky was born on 11th September 1970 and he had his Primary Education at Weera Puran Appu Vidyalaya, Moratuwa and from there he was drafted to Moratu Vidyalaya. From his smaller days his forte was cricket and he played soft ball cricket with his neighbouring friends and at the age of 11 he attended under 13 practices at Moratu Vidyalaya and he was selected by his first coach Old Vidyalian as the opening bat and as the wicket keeper.
In 1989 he was appointed as the captain and his deputy was Kusum Pinnaduwa. From then he blossemed as a complete batsman and a gloveman. In 13 innings he scored 1493 runs and he joined the select band of Vidyalian Cricketers who surpassed the 1000 magical runs. His highest score was an unbeaten 264 against Dharmaloka College at his own grounds which is still a record and highest for that year and Vidyalians declared at 425 for 9 which is still a ground record. His 1493 runs included four hundreds and a double century and five fifties. He scored four consecutive centuries 188 and 166 versus Zahira College, Colombo followed by 164 and 159 not out against St. John’s, Nugegoda by thus he equalled the previous record of four consecutive centuries scored by Cecil Peiris of Prince of Wales’ College in 1943. Cecil scored two successive centuries against Kingswood followed by a century versus Dharmarajah and the final century was against St. John’s, Panadura. When Lucky scored 188 and 166 against Zahira he surpassed the former record for the highest aggregate in a match set by W. C. Kindeslley playing for Kalutara PSC in 1905 against Kelani Valley Sports Club, Thalduwa. He scored 231 and 67 runs totalling 298 runs while Lucky’s total was 354 runs and it is a school record for Vidyalians. He scored his century and it was the fastest in that year in 72 balls against St. John’s, Nugegoda. In their Big Match against their arch rivals Sri Sumangala he scored 50 runs in 16 minutes which is still a record for both schools.
When he was 17 years he played for Moratuwa SC in Sara Cricket Tournament and in same year he was adjudged as the Best Fielder, Outsta tion Best Batsman and Outstaion School Boy Cricketer and Vidyalians won the coveted Sharona Trophy and got promoted to Division One.
In the same year the best team was Nalandians and combined team played against them and Lucky scored 89 runs and earned the Man of the Match Award. He got selected to the Sri Lanka Schools team and toured Bangladesh for the Asia Cup where India beat the Sri Lankans. In addition to cricket he was a fine long distance runner and in 1988 he became the Senior Champion and participated in the Zonal Meets. He is a qualified cricket coach who had a six year stint with North Cofield Cricket Club, Victoria, Australia and he is a Level Two Coach. After returning from overseas he coached the juniors and seniors of Ananda College, Colombo. He is a match referee and a cricket umpire too.
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