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by Premasara Epasinghe

Cricket is a very fickle game. A batsman who has had a good run of form may suddenly find himself scratching for runs. It has happened to many renowned cricketers. Form is temporary. But, class is permanent.

The Sri Lnaka cricket authorities recently selected a squad of 30 players, to undergo training for the World Cup 2003, to be played in South Africa commencing in February. It was a big surprise for many cricket fans in Sri Lanka, the omission of wicket-keeper batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana from this squad. If the criterion of selection is the form of a batsman, surely, with an average of 97 runs currently this season, "Little Kalu" of Colts, deserves to be in the squad, whether he finds a place in the Final Squad to South Africa World Cup 2003 or not is a different question.

In six games played recently in the Inter-club premier ODI's, Kaluwitharana piled 389 runs at an average of 97.02.

(Against Moors - 44 in 43 balls, NCC - 64 in 71 balls, Sebastianities - 52 in 57 balls, Kurunegala YCC - 32 in 43 balls, Moratuwa S.C. - 98 n.o. in 105 balls, CCC - 99 in 83 balls).

I consider Kaluwitharana, as a gutty player who always take a challenge. On earlier occasions, when unassuming "Kalu" was dropped from the Sri Lanka Team, he worked very hard with determination and regained his place. He is a natural gifted player, who can turn the tables.

It is true, that every player leaves the team eventually. He is not going to be there forever. But, if a player performs well, if he is not retired and currently in-form, he deserves to be considered for selection. You must give him an opportunity for prove his capability. Any cricketer may hit a bad patch temporarily. What an inauspicious start Marvan Attapattu had when he began his Test career. His technique is so sound and classy, he was to thrown to the wolves by the cricket authorities at that time. Marvan, was a contemporary schoolboy cricketer from Ananda, when Kaluwitharana represented St. Sebestians College, Moratuwa. Today, Marvan is a World class player. He was given the opportunity even after failing initially.

I first saw tiny-tot Romesh Shantha Kaluwitharana, when I was coaching the Nalanda Juniors, (1980-1982). "Little Kalu", captained the under 13 Division I Team in 1982. Nalanda and St. Sebestians met in a vital key game in Moratuwa. It was like a Greek meeting a Greek. Both were unbeaten sides. Incidently, my son Bhagya, captained Nalanda. Romesh scored a blistering 75 runs which included 11 fours and a towering six. However left-hander Bhagya, with a patient, determined knock of 92 not out steered Nalanda to victory. Nalanda become Division One All-Island Under 13 Cricket Champions later, beating Ananda in the finals by 100 runs at the NCC grounds.

After witnessing the power-packed batting of this "Little dynamo" - Kalu, I told his coach mentor and guide, Brother Nimal Gurusinghe that Romesh Kaluwitharana is a future Sri Lanka material, if he continues cricket.

"Discard" Kaluwitharana's contribution to cricket cannot be forgotten. In his Text Debut against Australia in August 1992, at SSC grounds, he scored a brilliant 132 runs. Australian skipper Alan Border describing Kalu's innings stated, "Young fellow looks a Professional. He is simply brilliant". So began his illustrious career.

It is a fact of Cricketing Life, most Teams going into the World Cup felt, the key was solid, slow start, a steady acceleration mid-way and at the latter stages a big-bang and a hearty slog. In 1996, Sanath Jayasuriya and his able partner Kaluwitharana upended this train of thought, added a new dimension to the shorter version of the game. Just to remind you, against India, they scored 50 in the first 05 overs, against England they smashed 100 runs in 10 overs, against poor Kenya, the Sri Lanka racked up a World Record - 399 runs in 50 overs.

Not only as a batsman wicket-keeper too Kaluwitharana excelled. I remember commentating over the air-waves of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, how, "Kalu" snatched the ball like a lizard and swiped off the bails in a flash, and the umpire gave marching orders to Sachin Tendulkar. This dismissal changed the complexion of the game in favour of Sri Lanka. Later, Sri Lanka was awarded the match by Match Referee Clive Lloyd, due to the unruly behaviour of the spectators. There were more than 100,000 spectators witnessing the Semi-Final at the Eden Gardens, Calcutta at that time. It still echoes in my mind how I described the Bottle Throwing Incidents and how I described the fires starting to sprout in the stands, a couple at first, then half a dozen and then scores of them.

In the recent past, the cricket authorities of SL opted to give priority for young players not forgetting the "Old War Horses" like Aravinda De Silva and Harshan Tillekeratne, when they performed well in the domestic tournaments. So why not the cricket authorities give an opportunity experienced to Kaluwitharana, who is presently performing well with the bat and wicket-keeping.

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Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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