Kalu's intention- excel in coaching at National Level

by Ranjan Anandappa

Former Sri Lanka wicket-keeper and opening batsman Romesh Kaluvitharana who formed a lethal opening batting combination with Sanath Jayasuriya during the 1996 World Cup, is doing an admirable job, as the Sri Lanka 'A' team coach. Kaluvitharana future is supplying a steady influx of national players with his expertise as a coach.

The 45-year-old 'Kalu', affectionately known by his pen name by cricket fans around the world , is a happy man with many of his under studies gaining representative honours. The hard working Kaluvitharana was glad to work hand-in-hand with his former opening partner Sanath Jayasuriya who is the Chairman Selectors and Marvan Atapattu (Head Coach) and Chaminda Vaas (Bowling coach) who are all contemporary players.

The coming and going of foreign coaches have left the local World Cup winning quartet Jayasuriya (Chairman Selectors), Atapattu (Head Coach) and Kaluvitharana ('A' team Coach and Vaas (Bowling Coach) with the task of formulating a formidable combination for the 2015 World Cup cricket tournament to be held in Australia and New Zealand early next year.

The above mentioned past players along with Pramodya Wickremasinghe and Hashan Tillekeratne who are also members of the 1996 World Cup winning team under Arjuna Ranatunga and Chaminda Mendis (All Selection Committee members) look capable of forming a potential World Cup winning team.

Sri Lanka performs well

Sri Lanka has performed remarkably well this year by winning the Asia Cup and the World T20 Championship concluded in Bangladesh in March and the trio - Sanath, Marvan and 'Kalu' will have the challenging task of shaping the team and find the winning formula for the 'big one'.

'Kalu's contribution has been enormous as he has been the driving force of the Sri Lanka 'A' team for the past four years identifying the aspiring players and guiding them to win national honours. Players of the calibre of Kusal Janith Perera, Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Ashan Priyanjana, Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep, Thisara Perera, Dilruwan Perera, Sachitra Senanayake, Seekkuge Prasanna and Chaturanga de Silva are some of the 'A' team players whom Kaluvitharana has scrutinised.The Lankans fortunately have been having 'A' team tours from time to time to England, Australia, South Africa and the West Indies which has helped the main team as a feeder for the national team. Kaluvitharana as the 'A' team coach has done an admirable job in guiding the 'A' team players into the national team. The present day Test and ODI players like Kusal Janith Perera, Kaushal Silva, Chaturanga de Silva, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Angelo Perera and Ashan Priyanjan.

These players have been representing the 'A' team with Kaluvitharana as their coach and soon should get into the main stream once the seniors retire said Kaluvitharana in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: When did you take up the Sri Lanka 'A' coaching appointment?.

A: I started somewhere in 2010. I enjoy it very much because lot of good things have happened during that period. Throughout the year, there has been good progress. There were about eight players from the 'A' side in the T20 World Cup winning team.

One setback we had in the recent past was finding players for the openers slot.

I am happy because we have solved that problem. We have players like Kusal Janith Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva, players who will fit into both formats of the game as openers.

Q: What about the middle order?

A: In the middle-order, we have players like Kithuruwan Vithanage, Dinesh Chandimal, Chaturanga de Silva and many talented newcomers who could fit in.

It is difficult to replace players like Mahela and Sangakkara overnight, but we have the consolation that the material is there to 'iron out' as my job is to provide players for the future with the supporting staff from the manager downwards.

Q: Who is the supporting staff?

A: The supporting staff is not only bound to look after cricketing matters. They are caring and looking after the well-being of the cricketers and graduating them with a lot of planning. To do that, the support of the others in the coaching team is needed. Jayantha Seneviratne is the manager of the team.

Champaka Ramanayake the bowling coach, Mario Villvarayan the former Peterite and Sri Lanka Under 19 and Sri Lanka 'A' cricketer is the Trainer, Manoj Abeywickrema the fielding coach, Video Analyst former Nalanda and Bloomfield cricketer Dulip Samaraseekera, Masseur Lal Thamel and Ranjith Nanayakkarawasam the Physio have been doing a good job as the back-up staff.

Q: It has been a coincidence that many of the 1996 World Cup winning team members are involved in the selection committee and coaching?

A: Yes, Sanath Jayasuriya, Pramodhya Wickremasinghe, Hashan Tillekeratne, Eric Upashantha and Chaminda Mendis are selectors and contemporary players. Likewise, Chaminda Vaas the Bowling Coach, Marvan Atapattu the Head Coach.

So we have a great understanding between us, although at times ideas differ,but our final analysis is to take steps for the betterment of the team.

Q: Do you touch on any specific areas while coaching?

A: We know that conditions differ from the sub-continent in comparison to playing in other parts of the world.

All the players are committed to their task and they exactly know their intentions.

They are aware that there is a huge difference between Club and International level.

Our aim is to try and bridge the gap during every training session. Each player is different from the other and their fitness levels to differ. But our intention is to see everyone going out as one product.

If the player is an all-rounder, he should be able to bat and bowl well in addition to being a good fielder.

He should be a thinking cricketer and should be a contributor to the side. Above all, the player should be aware that he is representing the country.

Q: What are your future intentions?

A: As a coach, I hope to climb to the top and to be the national cricket coach one day.