Welagedera makes a good start

Chris DHAMBARAGE

He made a promising start to his Test career and was set to spearhead the Sri Lankan pace attack with distinction in the longer version of the game.

But an ankle injury and a crisis in his bowling run up almost brought an end to his career that put him out of the international scene for more than one year.

After being in the wilderness for quite some time, twenty eight-year-old Chanaka Asanga Welagedera has signalled his comeback into Test cricket in the most spectacular manner.

The left arm seamer rocked the Indian batting by grabbing three wickets from his first four overs during a hostile spell of bowling in the first Test against India in Ahmedabad.

Among his victims was the prize scalp of veteran Sachin Tendulkar as Welagedera went on to claim a four-wicket haul only in his second Test match for his country.

He of course did not have a bad game on his debut and caused plenty of concern to the England batting at the Galle International Stadium. However his career was completely shaken with an ankle injury that required treatment in Australia.

This was a severe blow for a promising fast bowler who had impressed a lot during his stint with the Sri Lanka Pace Academy and at the MRF Pace Academy in Chennai.

His performances was highly acclaimed by former Australian fast bowling coach Daryl Foster and later came under the guidance of former Sri Lanka fast bowler Rumesh Ratnayake in 2000. Welagedera made steady progress in the domestic scene and played a key role for his club Moors Sports Club which annexed the SLC Premier League title in the 2002-03 inter-club season.

He was simply outstanding as he ended up with a rich haul of 34 wickets from just 13 matches at a splendid average of 24.14. He then toured Sharjah with the Sri Lanka Academy side and was soon rewarded with a place in the Sri Lanka A team. But as soon as he recovered from his injury worries Welagedera ran into further turmoil when he made it a habit to run into the danger area during his follow up.

This certainly turned out to be a major concern for the young fast bowler who broke off mentally with sheer disappointment. He was forced to return home after playing a couple of games during Sri Lanka's tour to Australia in 2007-08 and was also warned on several occasions by the home umpires for running into the danger area in the SLC Premier tournament matches.

Welagedera then had the opportunity of meeting Sri Lanka's Fast Bowling Coach Anusha Samaranayake who has been instrumental in guiding many fast bowlers through their difficult stages in the recent past. Welagedera worked his way systematically step by step while following the basics and then turned into a completely different bowler. He shifted his run up style, take-off alignments and formed the perfect balance that made him even more effective with the new ball.

After nearly five months of real hard work and training, Welagedera has just begun a new season that is certain to bring fruitful results in the coming years. His excellent performances in the opening Test match against India is indeed a clear sign that he is capable of reaching great heights for his country very soon.

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The Achievements:

* Full name: Chanaka Asanga Welagedera

* Date of birth: March 20, 1981, Matale

* Current age: 28 years

* Major teams: Moors Sports Club, Sri Lanka A,

Wayamba Province

* Batting style: Right hand bat

* Bowling style: Left-arm fast-medium

* Test debut: v England at Galle Stadium, December 18, 2007

* First class debut: 2001

* Test matches: 2, Innings: 4, Wickets: 9,

Average: 26.55

* First class matches: 63, Wickets: 178,

Average: 27.88, 4w: 9, 5w: 6, 10w: 1