Madushanka from obscurity to fame

Dilanka MANNAKKARA

The name Kasun Madushanka might not ring a bell for many, but this budding talented youngster who is just 18 years old, is quite a celebrity in his hometown, Ambalantota. Kasun stole the limelight as he was a surprise addition to the Sri Lankan Under 19 team which was to tour Austrailia.

This rural lad, with a humble background, starting from a virtually unknown school namely Theraputta Maha Vidyalya, Ambalantota was given the nod over some reputed players from elite Colombo schools due to the talent and skill which he possesses as an accurate, right arm swing bowler. The school authorities were jubilant over the selection of Kasun for the Sri Lanka Under 19 team and they held a grand felicitation ceremony for him on September 25 just before he left the island for the Australian tour.

Kasun played 4 games in Australia and performed considerably well in all the matches. Though he got only 3 wickets, his economy rate per over was at an impressive 4.18 and it was easily the best economy rate by a Sri Lankan fast bowler in the all important series which Sri Lanka won 3-2. He performed well in the tri-nation series between Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka by taking important wickets at crucial stages.

Kasun learnt his cricketing A,B,C at Theraputta Maha Vidyalaya Ambalantota. He captained the Under 17 team in 2007, 2008 and also led the under 15 team in 2005, 2006.

He excelled with both bat and ball in the all island cricket tournament which was organized by the SLC.

In his first ever under 15 match against Hambantota Zahira, he was off a flying start in his cricketing career as he scored a brilliant 126 and also was devastating with the ball as he captured 5 important wickets.

Kasun has also held the Vice captaincy of the Hambantota Under 17 cricket team and also has been a star player in the southern provincial under 19 team. To pursue his cricketing dream Kasun had to leave his beloved Theraputta Maha Vidyalaya and join St. Servatius College Matara which he still plays for as Theraputta Maha Vidyalaya did not have an Under 19 team due to lack of infrastructure and financial constraints.

Kasun is supported by his beloved parents,his first coach Leelananda Kumarasiri and former first class veteran cricketer and current umpire Ruchira Palliyaguru who is an old boy of St. Servatius Matara. Kasun is the second child in his family.

His father is a professional photographer outstanding and his mother works at a garment factory. Kasun is easily the most player from Theraputta Maha Vidyalaya and is the first and only cricketer from Theraputta to break in to the national scene. He is also only the second player from Hambantota to gain a place in a national team as the first being Suranga Lakmal from Deberawewa M.M.V who was in the Sri Lankan squad for the Pakistan Series.

Although Kasun has achieved great feats at national level he is the same old modest, humble, soft spoken lad from Ambalantota for his family, friends and teachers. Kasun is a bright prospect for the future of Sri Lankan cricket and hopefully the authorities would take care of him and he would be nurtured and groomed in to a penetrative and dependable fast bowler at the national level.