Sanath Jayasuriya - the Matara boy who sailed to the top in cricket!

By A.C. De Silva

Matara has produced Sri Lanka's "Wonder Boy of Cricket!"

As a 19 year-old dusky, stocky left-handed batsman Sanath Teran Jayasuriya who really has come to the forefront of international cricket.

Affectionally referred to as "SANNA BOY", he hit the top not only on inter-school cricket, but world class cricket and not only that, he is now the Chairman of the Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Jayasuriya who is a product of went St. Servatius College, Matara hit the top in school cricket and then further up the ladder of success and he made an unbeaten 207 in the third Test against Pakistan in the Test at Karachi that enabled him to go forward.

In the third Test at Karachi he made 207 that enabled Sri Lanka to make a sizeable first innings total and bowl out their opponents twice in three days to earn a morale-boosting win for Sri Lanka - the first of its kind on Pakistan soil to square the then series one-all.

Before coming on to big-time cricket, he was chosen as one of the senior batsmen in the Sri Lanka Youth Team that participated in the McDonald's Bi-centenial Youth World Cup competition in Australia in February - March 1988.

Jack Potter, the coach of the Australian Youth team then, watching Jayasuriya bat, described him as the most exciting batsman he had seen during the World Cup tournament.

Watching Jayasuriya bat, was sheer fascination. He is among the rare breed of batsmen who collects runs in a really elegant manner. His crisp strokes really thrilled all those who had the fortunate of witnessing him play.

Jayasuriya started playing his big-time cricket when he joined his native club - Matara Sports Club, but later on moved to Colombo Cricket club. Then with his club captain and former Sri Lanka Test star Roy Dias before on the somewhat make or break tour of Pakistan.

Jayasuriya rolled back the years to become the Oldest Cricketer to notch up an ODI hundred.

Oldest cricketer to hit ODI hundred

The Rangiri Stadium soothes the senses. It's set-deep inside a huge, beautifully landscaped area.

The Indians had no time to breathe easy in the arena. Sanath Jayasuriya rolls back the years to become the oldest cricketer to notch-up an ODI hundred. Typically exhilarating strokes marked his century.

Sanath Jayasuriya got a century, and can anyone guess whose record he broke? It's Geoff Boycott, the technically pure and the rather slow paced English opener of the past. Ironies never cease in cricket!

Despite Jayasuriya's effort, India sealed a win. Mahendra Singh Dhoni excels as captain and then delivered with the willow. Booming straight drives from the skipper would aid the Indian surge towards the finish finest line.

Most valuable player 1996

Affectionately regarded as Sri Lankan's most valuable player in the 1996 World Cup Cricket tournament when he scored 82 in 44 balls against England in the quarter-finals, which allowed Sri Lanka to eventually to go on and win the Cup.

The stocky left-handed opening batsman was rated by Price Waterhouse, as the best best batsman in one-day cricket till a few years back.

He is very strong square of the wicket on the off-side and he was not afraid to hit the ball in the air. When he is in form, the flicks on the leg side often go into the stands for six.

Jayasuriya was a highly effective allrounder. Not only is he a destructive batsman, but his left-arm spinner have also many games for Sri Lanka.

Hard - hitting opening batsman Sanath Jayasuriya become Sri Lanka's most-capped one-day international representative field against Australia in their limited overs series opener in February 2004.

Jayasuriya has now made 309 one-day internationals appearances for Sri Lanka, one more then Aravinda de Silva. He also replaced de Silva's name in the record books as Sri Lanka's highest limited-over run-getter.