Ishara is back with a bang

Dilanka MANNAKKARA

Full name: Merenna Koralage Don Ishara Amerasinghe

Born: March 5, 1978, Colombo

Current: age 32 years 140 days

Major teams: Sri Lanka, Burgher Recreation Club,

Colts Cricket Club, Nondescripts Cricket Club,

Wayamba

Batting style: Right-hand bat

Bowling style: Right-arm fast-medium

Only Test: West Indies v Sri Lanka at Port of Spain, April 3-6, 2008

ODI debut: Pakistan v Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi, May 18, 2007

First-class debut: 1997/98

Twenty20 debut: Colts Cricket Club v Badureliya Sports Club

at Colombo (Bloomfield), October 22, 2005

This young lad was widely regarded as one of the most fastest bowlers in Sri Lanka and after a string of consistent performances he got the opportunity of representing the Sri Lanka National team. Although talent, skill and commitment was there, Ishara Amarasinghe didn't have the luck on his side and for some unknown reason, was first dropped from the national side and then for everyone's astonishment he was even axed from the 'A' team after claiming the highest number of wickets in the Sri Lanka 'A' tour of South Africa and since 2008 the selectors have ignored him.

Ishara made his debut against Pakistan in the Abu Dabi series in 2007, but played only one match of the three match series. Then he was selected for the CB series in 2008 as a replacement for Dilhara Fernando and got the maximum out of the opportunity as he ended up as the second highest wicket taker of the Sri Lankan team but unfortunately Sri Lanka had a disastrous series. He was then selected for the West Indies tour and he made his test debut at Port of Spain. Sri Lanka lost the test match and afterwards Ishara was given the axe.

Ishara who was in Australia playing league cricket has found his form once again and won the best player award and also is a part of the team of the year.

He is back in Sri Lanka and hopes to represent the Sri Lanka team again. Daily News conducted a hard hitting interview with him and here are some excerpts from the interview.

Q: You had a wonderful CB series in Australia, which but was unfortunately one of the worst tours for Sri Lanka.What are your thoughts about your performance in Australia?

A: I had a very good CB series in Australia and in fact I was the second highest wicket taker with 9 wickets. Unfortunately we won only two games out of the nine games played and in the win against Australia took 3 wickets for 44 runs including the wickets of Clarke and Symonds in a span of two overs. That was our final match in Australia and that was a tournament which we didn't fare very well.

Q: Your first wicket was the wicket of the explosive Virender Sehwag, how did you feel after he was caught behind?

A: I was overjoyed after getting Sehwag. I will always cherish that moment.

Q: You made your test debut in Port of Spain,West Indies and in the solitary ODI you played, you didn't perform well.

A: I toured West Indies and made my test debut. I took one wicket in the match but unfortunately we lost the test match. I was under some pressure as it was my first test match and gave away too many runs in the ODI match. It was a flat wicket and I didn't get enough assistance from the pitch.

Q: You were dropped from the National side afterwards but you toured South Africa with the 'A' team in 2008 and you were the best bowler of the tournament?

A: The selectors didn't give a valid reason for dropping me but fortunately I was included in the 'A' tour for South Africa. It was a tough tour for us to play in the fast and bouncy wickets in South Africa but after a superb performance as a team we won the series 4-1 and I ended up being the highest wicket taker. I got a five wicket haul in the first match which we won by a narrow margin. Our Captain Kandamby gave me the ball to bowl the important last over where South Africa needed 7 runs with two set batsmen at the crease. I removed both of them in a span of four deliveries and ended up taking 5 for 44 which was my best figures in limited overs format and won the man of the match award. I remember the South African 'A' coach asking me why I am not playing in the Sri Lanka side after taking 14 wickets in the tournament.

Q: After claiming 14 wickets in 5 matches against South Africa 'A' you were unceremoniously dropped from the 'A' side as well. How did you feel when you were dropped after such a great performance in South Africa?

A: Initially I thought that I was being rested and the selectors were going to include me in the National side, but I couldn't believe it when I wasn't even selected for the 'A' team. I was very disappointed and when I called the selectors for the reason for dropping me, they were ignorant. I even lost the Sri Lanka National team contract and they didn't at least offer me an 'A' team contract and till now I havn't been a part of any Sri Lankan squad. I still don't know the reason as to why they dropped me.

Q : You played two seasons in Australia for the Yaara Valley League in 2009 and 2010, how was your experience there?

A: I got the opportunity to play for the Yaara Valley League and as I have enjoyed bowling in Australia I joined my team Seville as an overseas pro. I bowled very well and helped my team reach the final and I won the best player's award and was also a member of the 'Team of the Year' in 2010. So I am in great form now and have improved my control and I am bowling at 140-145 kmph.

Q: You are 32 years now and do you think age is a problem for you to enter in to the National team?

A: I don't think that age is a problem if you are in good shape and you keep fit and importantly if you are in fine rhythm and form, which I am. I do my daily exercises, beach runs and bowling practices. I think that I am in my peak and I am rearing to go.

Q: You started cricket at a fairly late age of 17 years at Nalanda College. Can you talk about the beginning of your career?

A: I only played one season for the first XI team of Nalanda College and took 65 wickets in 10 matches.

I joined BRC and switched to Colts Cricket Club. I took 58 wickets in just 12 matches for Colts and was selected for the Sri Lanka 'A' team in 1999.

Q: How fast did you bowl in 1999?

A: I bowled very fast and I think that I touched even 145-150 kmph sometimes. That was when I bowled really fast as a 22 year old.

Q: You went to India to join the MRF academy, how was the experience at MRF?

A : I learnt a lot about control and bowling techniques at the MRF. I also improved on my line and length.

Q: You got selected for the Sri Lankan team's tour of England in 2002 but you didn't play a single match. Why was that?

A: I played the practice matches but I sustained a back injury and had to return back home and it took me five more years to make my ODI debut in 2007.

Q: Who were the coaches who helped you in developing your bowling?

A: Rumesh Ratnayake and Champaka Ramanayake helped me a lot in improving my accuracy and variety. Sri Lanka 'A' coach Chandika Hathurusinghe also helped me a lot with my action and follow through. I must also mention my first coach Jayantha Seneviratne.

Q: Whom do you wish to thank in your cricketing career?

A: My parents, sister and wife for giving me all the support. I would like to specifically mention Dian Gomes, CEO MAS Holdings for all the support he provides. He is a wonderful person and is probably the biggest supporter of sports in Sri Lanka.

Q: After being axed for no valid reasons do you still have hope of entering the Sri Lanka team?

A: Yes. The new selection committee headed by Aravinda has given opportunities to players who perform so I think that if I perform well in the domestic season could get back to the Sri Lankan team.

Bowling averages	Mat	Inns	Balls	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w	10 

Tests			1	2	150	105	1	1/62	1/105	105.00	4.20	150.0	0	0	0 
ODIs			8	8	426	363	9	3/44	3/44	40.33	5.11	47.3	0	0	0 

First-class		99	-	11755	5911	246	5/12	-	24.02	3.01	47.7	-	7	1 

List A			76	-	3031	2300	92	5/44	5/44	25.00	4.55	32.9	2	1	0 
Twenty20		4	4	78	83	2	1/14	1/14	41.50	6.38	39.0	0	0	0