Former fast bowling great Chaminda Vaas works with emerging talent Kanakaraja Silojan from Jaffna, as former fast bowler Ravindra Pushpakumara, who is in charge of cricket development in the North and East looks on.
The selection of three players from the North and East to participate in the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) conducted triangular tournament now underway in Pallekele is only an indication of things to come, experts believe.
All-rounder Jeayasooriyam Sanjeev is 20-years-old and is a product of Methodist Central College, Batticaloa, and represents the Sri Lanka Combined XI in the on-going tournament.
Rishan Tudor from St. Patrick’s College is a 19-year-old wicketkeeper batsman, while fast bowler Kanakaraja Silojan is a product of Hindu College, Kokuvil.
Former fast bowler Ravindra Pushpakumara, who is in charge of cricket development in the North and East during a coaching camp held at St. Patrick’s College, Jaffna.
One gets the impression that SLC is too bothered about the national cricket team and while most of the things that the elite cricketers ask for are granted, the grass-root level seems to be neglected. SLC bigwigs seem to be hugely concerned about the national coach, captain, the rankings of the national team and television deals, while cricket development and looking into the future doesn’t seem to be in their list of priorities.
Comparatively, however, cricket in the North and Eastern provinces have received quite a bit of prominence in the last three years or so. No talents emerged from the North and East and cricket in those parts of the country was unheard of during the war years. Post war, cricket development in these provinces seems to have got prominence over other provinces, and the country could reap the harvests, having made an attempt to nurture the talents in those areas.
Former fast bowler Ravindra Pushpakumara, who is a coach attached to SLC, is responsible for cricket development in the North and Eastern provinces. He has alongside with him seven district coaches and together with them, he moves to places like Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Killinochchi, Mannar, Trincomalee and Batticaloa in search of talent.
“When I look at these players from the North and East, I simply marvel at them. Some of these players are so naturally gifted. Some of the actions of these spinners and fast bowlers are so classical. There’s nothing that we have to correct. I only update them on the proper technique,” Pushpakumara, who played 23 Tests for Sri Lanka and was a member of the World Cup winning squad, told ‘The Island’.
“I have absolutely no clue as to how they have developed such classic actions. I once asked them whether they watch any television. The answer was no. There’s no television as well in most of these places, but somehow they have learned the right way of doing things. The talent available in Jaffna is absolutely unbelievable,” Pushpakumara explained.
The emergence of three players from the North and East could just be the beginning. While you take a closer look at them, you get the feeling that they may be not on par with others of their age group found here, but that’s only due to the lack of exposure. Now that they are gaining experience, and a proper system is coming up in the North and East, the next Muralitharan, Aravinda de Silva or Marvan Atapattu could come from these places.
“Another thing that inspired me was the stamina of these players. Their stamina is unbelievable and I have never seen that anywhere else. The way they keep going without even drinking a glass of water in that heat amazes me. It cannot be simply described and it’s an important ingredient of a fast bowler,” Pushpakumara elaborated.
While the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) conducted Division III tournament takes place in the North and East, some of the established schools take part in annual big matches as well. Apart from that, the likes of Pushpakumara oversee the SLC conducted Under-15, 19 and 21 Provincial Tournaments.
The game is quite established in Jaffna schools like St. Patrick’s, St. Henry’s and St. John’s. Ten schools in Killinochchi and six schools in the Mullativu districts took up the sport recently.
Another thing that has impressed the coaches involved with cricket development in the area is the enthusiasm shown by the players and school authorities.
Apart from regular fast bowling and spin bowling coaching clinics conducted in the area, the coaches also conduct talent search programmes and bring young players to Colombo to sharpen their skills.
“I must mention the support we get from SLC to uplift the sport in the area. SLC Secretary Nishantha Ranatunga, in particular, has taken a keen interest in seeing to the development of these young players. The support from the Army too has been enormous and we are making steady progress in the North and East,” Pushpakumara went onto state.
