Trying to dismiss Ramen Wijewardena can be just as challenging as correctly pronouncing the teenage Sri Lankan all-rounder?s surname.

Last weekend the 17-year-old Southampton Rangers player produced his finest knock ever in top flight cricket, hitting an unbeaten 70 in his team?s second innings against a seasoned Bailey?s Bay bowling attack at Southampton Oval.

Along with veteran Keith Wainwright, Wijewardena featured in a marathon 127-run stand for the second wicket, carving ten fours off 126 deliveries.

It was an innings overflowing with confidence, and one the Cedarbridge Academy student will forever cherish.

?It took a lot of time and I faced a lot of deliveries,? the soft -spoken youngster recalled.

?But it was nice ? especially to score my first half-century in Premier Division cricket. My team-mates have always been there to encourage me and I am getting better and better.?

Wijerwardena received a first dose of top flight cricket as a 13-year-old at the Oval and, along with fellow youngster Malachi Jones, remain two of the club?s brightest future prospects.

The young right-handed early order bastman can also hold his own tossing down his slow-medium paced deliveries.

?When I first arrived here I didn?t have that much experience. But I received good support from Clevie (Rangers coach Clevie Wade) and Janeiro (team skipper Janeiro Tucker) and from everyone else in the team. They have always been there for me and Rangers are a very good and experienced team to play for,? Wijerwardena added.

However, cricket is not the only priority in the young Sri Lankan?s life.

?I haven?t really set any big goals in cricket other than to continue enjoying the game,? he pointed out.

?I really want to attend college maybe in Canada or the UK. But for the time being I just hope to continue doing my best and help the team to win everything we can.?

Wijerwardena?s raw talents have not gone unnoticed by team stalwart Wainwright, unfortunate not to reach his first ton of the season. Wainwright scored 96 runs.

?I was telling him on Sunday not to worry about the boundaries because they will come. I encouraged him to concentrate just on playing straight and picking up the singles. It was very pleasing to watch him bat and I was surprised,? Wainwright recalled.

?I didn?t think he had it in him watching from the sidelines especially after he reached his half-century. I thought he was going to lose his concentration after he got his fifty. But the way he looked I think he would have batted out the whole day and probably scored 120 runs or something in that region.

?Ramen has the potential to become a great batsman and what I admire about him is that he is willing to listen and learn and more importantly he has the ability. He bats very straight and possess the fundamental defence technique. Players who have good sound basic technique never rely on hitting across the line.?

Meanwhile, on a separate matter, personal work commitments have robbed Rangers of the services of guest player Corey Hill ahead of tomorrow?s opening round Western Counties clash with cup holders Warwick at White Hill Field.

The Bailey?s Bay and Somerset Cup Match all-rounder was due to make his debut in the competition along with team-mate Dennis Pilgrim.

Rangers were banking on Hill?s wealth of bowling experience to bolster their attack, left depleted in the absence of ICC Trophy trio Lionel Cann, Dwayne (Sluggo) Leverock and team skipper Janeiro Tucker.

Rangers coach Wade confirmed: ?Corey has informed us that he cannot make Saturday?s game because he has work commitments. So this has left us a bit in limbo.?

Social Club duo Kenny Philip or Dwayne (Sreaker) Adams could now come into the team as replacement for Hill who smashed a robust 70 against Rangers last weekend at the Oval.