Life and times in sport

Ruwan Kalpage - national fielding coach and computer analyst

by Premasara Epasinghe

Fielding is a major part of cricket, and in some games, players, if they don't bowl and then miss a bat, are involved only in fielding. So, sometimes, fielding can be your only contribution to the team's efforts.

One of the most difficult aspects of fielding is that you have to concentrate on every ball. It is vital. You may have only one opportunity for a catch or run out in the complete day's play; and it can be missed by lost concentration on just one delivery. That moment of dreaming could cost your side the match.

In modern era, with the limited over games, fielding is considered as the most important aspect of the game.

Some of the world's best fielders that come to my mind are Learie Constantine, Sobers, Vivian Richards, Clive Lloyd (West Indies), Jonty Rhodes (South Africa), Bob Simpson, Keith Miller (Australia - slips), Douglas Jardine (England - Surrey - gully), Tony Lock (England - Surrey - short leg), Jack Hobbs (England - Surrey - cover-point).

In Sri Lanka, some of the best fielders that I have seen are Gerry Gooneratne, David Heyn, Roy Dias, Roshan Mahanama and Ruwan Kalpage.

Today, I feature Sri Lanka national coach in fielding - Ruwan Kalpage. Ruwan Senani Kalpage was born on 19th February, 1970 in Kandy. As at his current age is 35 years, 79 days. The major clubs that he represented are Nondescript Cricket Club, Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club and Galle Cricket Club. He represented Sri Lanka from 1991 to 1999.

He played in 11 matches, 18 innings, unbeaten on two occasions, scored 294 runs. His highest Test score was 63 against Pakistan.

Kalpage played in 86 One Day Internationals, and in 69 innings, scored 844 runs. His highest score is 51 runs against India.

In 153 first class matches, and in 207 innings, he scored 5,843 runs with a highest score of 189. In 146 'List A' matches, in 117 innings he scored 2,055 runs.

In 11 Test matches, he bowled 1,576 balls, captured 12 wickets. He played in 86 One Day Internationals, bowled 3,960 balls, took 73 wickets giving away 2,975 runs. In his first-class career, in 153 matches, bowled 23,495 balls, gave away 9,700 runs and 427 wickets. Best figures were 7 wickets for 27 runs. In List A class, he played in 146 matches, in 6,251 balls, he captured 149 wickets, best figure - 6 for 32.

Kalpage's Test debut was against India, in 1993 at the picturesque Sinhalese Sports Club grounds, Colombo. His last Test was in 1999 against Pakistan at Lahore.

On 10th January, 1992, Kalpage played in his first One Day International at Sargoda, popularly known in Pakistan as the 'City of Oranges'. His last ODI was against India at Poona on 30th March, 1999.

Cricket was in his blood. His father Sena Kalpage captained Nalanda Vidyalaya in 1964. Ruwan's mother is Malini Kalpage. His brother Nuwan played for St. Anthony's College, Katugastota with Ruwan. Sister's name is Manjula.

Sena Kalpage was a great influence on his son. Ruwan started playing cricket as a junior cricketer. In 1980, he captained the under-11 cricket team and they were adjudged Sri Lanka School's cricket joint champions with Nalanda. His junior cricket coaches were brother Justice, Udeni Kodituwakku and Sunil Fernando. When he graduated to play at senior level his coaches were Sunil Fernando and late T. K. Hannan.

Kalpage was one of the best off-spinners that Sri Lanka produced. He was a fine all-rounder and a utility player.

He got his first break when he represented Sri Lanka 'A' team in 1989, when they toured Pakistan under the captaincy of Ashley de Silva.

Ruwan was a fine captain. Under his stewardship, in 1987/1988, St. Anthony's College was a champion team. They won five consecutive matches beating St. Benedict's and Royal.

His outfit composed of Suresh de Alwis, Mohamed Thariqshad, Shanaka Herath, Asela Herath, Sanjeewa Narampanawa (wicket-keeper), Anuraddha Seneviratne, Piyal Wijetunga (represented Sri Lanka), Sapumal Herathge, Asanka Niyarapola, Ashan Karunatilake, Dinesh Mendis, Nuwan Kalpage (his brother), Sumedha Arawwawela.

Kalpage was adjudged the Best Bowler 1988 in the Bata Schoolboy Cricketer awards ceremony, and the Best All-Rounder runner-up to Kumar Dharmasena of Nalanda. In 1989, he was selected as the Best All-Rounder, all island.

"My most memorable moment was when I was selected to represent Sri Lanka, in the 1992 World Cup in New Zealand and Australia. This was a great moment for me. To be in a World Cup team is a happy moment for any player," stated Kalpage.

Kalpage was a member of the World Cup teams in 1992 and 1999.

In 2001, he represented Ferntree Gully cricket team in Melbourne and was adjudged the best player. He scored more than 700 runs, with three centuries and three half centuries. This left-handed batsman with his right-arm canny off-spin, captured 28 wickets in that season and became the player of the tournament.

Kalpage was a brilliant fielder. I can still remember the catch he took to dismiss Pat Symcox in the match against South Africa at R. Premadasa Stadium. This was one of the best catches that I have seen as a commentator.

He was fielding at square-leg. While everyone were following the stroke, he took a fantastic air-borne catch, which was out of this world.

From October 2004 Sri Lanka cricket appointed him, as the national fielding coach and computer analyst, for the national team. Earlier in 2001, Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka appointed Ruwan Kalpage as the coach of the Sri Lanka A team. Further, he was appointed as the under-19 coach of the Sri Lanka team.

He is a qualified coach - level one and Australian Cricket Board level two coach. In 1994, he was in Maldives as the national cricket coach of that country.

Kalpage is married to Dilanthie. They tied the nuptial knot in 1995. They have two children. Eleesha is studying at Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya.

His son is at Playschool, Stepping Stone, Pitakotte.