Hettiwatte Hemantha Devapriya (born 12 April 1958) is a former cricketer who played first-class cricket for Sri Lanka. In September 2018, he was one of 49 former Sri Lankan cricketers honoured by Sri Lanka Cricket for their services before the country became a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC).[1][2]
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 12 April 1958 Galle, Sri Lanka | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | Wicket-keeper | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 12 February 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Early life
editHe was educated at CMS Sri Jayawardenapura College and Nalanda College Colombo and played cricket for the Nalanda college first XI team from 1976 to 79.
After leaving school, Hemantha played cricket for Colts Cricket Club in Colombo. His first-class appearances were for Sri Lanka Under-25s (1980/81), Sri Lankans (1981 in England), Arosa Sri Lanka (1982/83), Colts Cricket Club (1988/89 to 1995/96) and Southern Province (1992). The rebel tour to South Africa from October–December 1982 scuppered any aspirations of official international recognition.
Playing career
editThe wicket-keeper batsman made his debut against Australia in 1980 with an explosive 80 in Galle and went on to score several top-notch half centuries against England during the 1981 tour. Devapriya has scored 1,761 first-class runs in a short career of 70 matches.
Coaching career
editIn 2016, Sri Lanka Cricket announced that him as head coach of the Sri Lanka women's national cricket team. He replaced another former Sri Lanka wicket-keeper/batsman Lanka de Silvawho held the post since July 2015. He resigned from the role in June 2018, citing personal reasons.[3] He was replaced by Harsha de Silva as the head coach of the Sri Lankan women's cricket team.[4][5]
Devapriya holds level III qualifications from the ECB and is a Level II Certified Coach in Sri Lanka.. His coaching career spans over 15 years where he was the head coach of the Colombo Cricket Club, the NCC, the Fingara Cricket Academy and most recently Bloomfield C & AC.
References
edit- ^ "Sri Lanka Cricket to felicitate 49 past cricketers". Sri Lanka Cricket. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- ^ "SLC launched the program to felicitate ex-cricketers". Sri Lanka Cricket. Archived from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
- ^ "Hemantha Devapriya resigns as Sri Lanka women coach". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 14 June 2018.
- ^ "Harsha de Silva named Sri Lanka women's head coach". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ Releases, Press (8 August 2018). "Sri Lanka appoint Harsha de Silva as Head Coach of Women's Cricket team". Cricket Country. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- "49th Battle of the Maroons". Battle of the Maroons. 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- "Hemantha Devapriya: The players have an opportunity to impress". Cricinfo. 6 June 2001. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- "Jayasuriya House overall champs". Sunday Times. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- "Mahanama says he quit on a matter of policy by Ravi Nagahawatte". The Island. 25 March 2002. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- "Tilan Samaraweera captains Sri Lanka 'A'". Sunday Observer. 16 February 2003. Archived from the original on 5 December 2007. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- "No Doubting Nondescripts Cricketers". Lanka News Papers. 10 February 2010. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- "Devapriya - new women's cricket team head coach". Daily News Sri Lanka. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.