Kasun YOUNG TALENT
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 home town, Ambalantota. Kasun stole the limelight as he
was a surprise addition to the Sri Lankan Under 19 team which was to
tour Austrailia.
Kasun Madushanka |
This rural lad, with a humble background from the virtually unknown
school 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
September 25, 2009 just before he left the island for the Australian
tour.
Sri Lanka Under 19
Kasun played four games in Australia and performed considerably well
in all the matches. Though he got only three wickets, his economy rate
per over was 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 three wickets in two 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 two games he played.
Kasun took two 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,
five 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 by 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 MMV
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 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. |