|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 20 January 2002 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
No colt with the bat by Srian Obeyesekere He is comparatively a colt in the team. Almost the rest of the top order counting much more than Kumar Sangakkara's 19 Test match appearances. As much as age. But when it comes to run making, the left hander is no colt with the bat. At 25 years, the lean and lanky Sangakkara belies age and experience to be counted in the Sri Lankan team. Three centuries and seven fifties convert into gold in value for an investment just 1 year and 5 months old. Indeed, the wicket-keeper batsman packs muscle into the batting in restoring solidness in the top order. Ever since he made his Test debut in July 2000, Sangakkara has held the batting together handsomely as a No.3 can. Rising to the demands in the slot enthusing a defence arguably sounder than any backed with an array of strokes that keep the scoreboard tiking. For a youngster who got stuck in the No.3 slot more by chance than being hand picked for the job by the national selectors, Sangakkara certainly is an investment for Lankan cricket. Some pleasing knocks for the 'A' team including a century in a one-dayer against Zimbabwe at home earning him the nod at the expense of regular wicket-keeper, Romesh Kawitharana. But shifted to bat at No.3 in place of an out of form Russel Arnold against South Africa. Though not quite deft behind the stumps, the lad justified the selectors faith in him with the bat. Talent that could have made better reading had he converted two fifties into three figures having got out in the nervous nineties twice. Against South Africa in the year 2000, and England in last year's 3-Test series, but atoned with a debut century in the third Test. Since, Sangakkara has blossomed with each outing also taking centuries off India last year and Zimbabwe in the recent series imbibing a maturity lacking in some of his other seniors at times. Backed by an average of 46.17 from 1,293 runs in 29 innings with a highest of 140. Re-establishing a solidness lacking since the days of Asanka Gurusinha who was also interestingly a left hander. Indeed, it has been a gold mine for the youngster who cut his teeth in the game at Trinity College in Kandy's salubrious hill climes having cemented his place in the Test team. Rock solid with the bat. His strong point has been the willing worker that Sangakkara is. Learning with each match, minimising the mistakes that has seen transformation. A discipline that has also seen a significant improvement in his wicket-keeping as well. While he has failed to impress at one-day level both with the bat and behind the stumps, Sangakkara looks a strong contender to take over from Kaluwitharana with age still ahead of him. That is despite having scored just two half centuries in 34 innings from 40 matches for a tally of 646 runs with a highest of 85. The immense potential seen in him making him future captaincy material. A law student, Sangakkara made his mark at school level as a hard hitting batsman at Trinity College before joining the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) in 1997. He was drafted into the Sri Lanka Under-19 team that year against India. In 1999 he was selected to the Lanka 'A' team. Born on October 27, 1997, Sangakkara champions a Lankan side in quest of reaching new milestones. Becoming the best among the best in the Test match firmament. His latent talent with the bat more than his wicket-keeping to be counted on when Sri Lanka take on giants Australia and South Africa. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
