Batsman turned paceman Prasad, holds much promise in new trade

by Ranjan ANANDAPPA

CRICKET: Paceman Dammika Prasad who was a number three batsman prior to being a paceman, became the second Mazenodian to represent the country at Test level when he made his debut against India in the recently concluded third Test at the P. Sara Stadium.

He had the prize scalp of opener Virender Sehwag when he was threatening to cut loose as his first Test wicket and never looked back thereafter, taking two more wickets which included Sachin Tendulkar.

His pace bowling and the spin combination of Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis helped Sri Lanka to beat India.

He stated that India had a very strong batting line up and was nervous at the beginning, but he gained confidence when he dismissed Sehwag who had struck a double hundred in the previous game in Galle.

He felt that he was on top of the world when he dismissed Sachin Tendulkar who has been rated as one of the greatest batsman, and Drawid in the first innings too and again Sehwag and Gambir in the second innings.

Dammika Prasad was in fact a number three batsman, before he took to fast bowling by coincidence of being called to bowl by his then coach former Sri Lanka fast bowler Keerthie Gunaratne in a under 17 match as a stop gap makeshift bowler when the fast bowler of the team had to skip a match - and no wonder the Indians were taken by surprise.

He was also under the guidance of his first coach Vernon Senanayake who is now a qualified coach in England and Major Silva who also gave him immense confidence.

De Mazenod College, Kandana is situated in the outskirts of Colombo in a quiet environment.

Dilhara Fernando was the first Mazenodian to win a Test 'cap' from the Kandana school.

Prasad had his first taste of International cricket when he represented the country in the 2002 Under 19 World Cup held in New Zealand.

The other members of that team were Farveez Maharoof, Upul Tharanga and schoolmate Charith Sylvester.

Soon after leaving school, he joined SSC and has been a member of the club upto date.

In 2006, he toured Bangladesh with the national team and played in two ODI's and captured two wickets in his very first over.

Thereafter he was hit by injuries and came back to the reckoning with some impressive performances while touring with the 'A' team in India, West Indies, England, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

Dammika Prasad said that he owes his success in cricket to former Test cricketers Chandika Hathurusinghe, Champaka Ramanayake, and to Anusha Samaranayake and Prabath Nissanka who were his driving force.

He is also ever grateful to his school principal of the La Sallian institution Rev. Bro. Camillus, Bro. Granville and Bro. Bertram who supported him to the hilt.