Chathura right on track to become a professional

Sri Lanka captain Chatura Peiris is well on his way to realizing his goal of becoming a professional cricketer.

The 19-year old left-arm fast-medium bowler has been a regular in the Sri Lanka Under-19 squad since 2007, has played in two U19 Cricket World Cups, and has captained the side in two major series. He has also had a taste of senior level cricket in the domestic Twenty20 competition and is hopeful of going on to full international honors.

Although Peiris is still a student at St Peter’s College in Colombo, the only thing on his mind is to become a professional cricketer. “Yes I am putting all my eggs into one basket as far as my career is concerned,” he says. “But I love the game and I want to stay in it as long as I can.”

His recent performances should help that goal become a reality. He took 11 wickets, and was the leading wicket-taker, in Sri Lanka’s series against Bangladesh last year, and picked up a four wicket bag in a tri-nation series match against the same side in November.

Here at the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup he’s gone one better, taking a five-wicket haul in a Group match against Canada – securing figures of five for 25. That effort helped put him on top of the tournament bowling lists, his eight wickets in three matches coming at an average of just eight runs.

Chatura says his favourite cricketer is Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya, but believes his style of left-arm fast bowling is more like that of star seamer Chaminda Vaas.

A quiet, unassuming cricketer, Chatura belies the typical fast bowling boisterous cricketing personality, instead he is shy, softly spoken and thoughtful in his responses to questions.

Chatura is enjoying the challenge of playing in the tournament and leading his side in New Zealand.

He is especially happy to be getting the best out of different conditions. “As a bowler I am relishing the extra bounce and seam movement I have been able to extract from the conditions during my bowling spells here in New Zealand.