Kasun a rising cricket star

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 from a virtually unknown school namely Theraputta Maha Vidyalya, Ambalantota was given the nod over some reputed players from famous 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 Lankan Under 19 team and they held a grand felicitation ceremony for him on 25th September 2009 just before he left the island for the Australian tour.

Sri Lanka Under 19

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.

He also took 3 wickets in 2 matches in the tri nation tournament held in South Africa which also involved India. He also performed well in the Under 19 World Cup in the 2 games he played. Kasun took 2 wickets for 27 runs in 10 overs and his frugal economy rate of 2.7 was the best among Lankan fast bowlers. Out of his 10 overs,5 of them have been maidens which shows how accurate and tight he has been.

Various difficulties

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 in 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 went on to 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. Kasun is the second child in his family. His father is a photographer in profession and his mother works at a garment factory. Kasun is easily the most recognizable 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 be given national reckoning 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 in the national level he is the same old modest,humble,soft spoken Kasun from Ambalantota for his family,friends and teachers.”My cricket idol is Kumar Sangakkara and I hope to develop my batting as well and become a genuine all rounder in the future” said Kasun when asked about his future hopes. Kasun is a bright prospect for the future of Sri Lankan cricket and hopefully the necessary 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.