Nuwan Kulasekera - a bowler with a 'heart'

A cricketer who has climbed the ladder of success, especially in bowling is Kulasekara Mudiyanselage Dinesh Nuwan Kulasekera, better known from his shortened form - Nuwan Kulasekera who has somewhat of a bagful of success in the past few months. On July 22 this lively pace bowler will be 32 years 'young' and has plenty of cricket before him.

Having received his education at Bandaranayake College, Gampaha, Kulasekera made an instant impression when he came into big-time cricket after starting his career as a softball enthusiast before he shifted his focus to cricket, joining the Nugegoda Cricket Club and then Galle Cricket Club. Then in the 2002-2003 domestic cricket competition, he won the best bowler's award and then it was a climb to the top.

Now stepping on to the age of 32, Ruwan Kulasekera has more years of bowling in his and cricket fans here in Sri Lanka can expect some lively performances from him in the matches ahead of him.

From a bustling run-up and somewhat open-chested action, he generates a lively pace, moves the ball off the seam and can reverse - swing the ball. Most importantly though, he can maintain a tight line and length.

One-day debut vs England

Kulasekera made his one-day International debut against England at Dambulla on November 18th 2003. He took 2 for 19 as England were bowled out for 88, and Sri Lanka took less them 14 overs to win by 10 wickets.

He made his Test debut against New Zealand at Napier on April 4 in 2005. He took only one wicket, and scored a 'duck', as the match was drawn.

A maiden Test fifty against England at Lord's in 2006 showed his natural batting ability in the lower order. But his bowling during the same tour lacked penetration and he was dropped from the squad for 8 months.

However, having worked on his action and gaining an extra yard of pace, he secured a place in Sri Lanka's World Cup squad. He rose to become one of Sri Lanka's strike bowlers, and in an 11-month period starting April 2008, took 47 wickets.

That helped Nuwan to jump tot he top of the ICC ODI rankings the following March.

Kulasekera - not in demand

Kulasekera went unsold in the February 2009 IPL. However, he never gave up, but kept on trying. Explaining his success as a new ball bowler, Kulasekera said: "Bowling with the new-ball. I'm able to get my natural insuring going. It is very effective when I pitch it on a good line and length. That's how I obtain the majority of my wickets."

To add to his swing, Kulasekera has also developed a slower ball and learnt to vary his deliveries.Kulasekera worked with Sri Lanka fast bowling coaches Champaka Ramanayake and Anusha Samaranayake and has learnt a lot.

Memorable wicket - Teldulkar's

Kulasekera recalled his best performance in an ODI was taking a career best four wickets for 40 runs against India in the fifth and final match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in August 2008 - and Sri Lanka won that match by 112 runs. It was a fine spell by him that sealed the match in his team's favour. He removed four of the top five Indian batsman - a performance that won him his first and only man-of-the-match award in a six-year 50-match ODI career.

Kulasekera considers getting the wicket of Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar for one in the third ODI at Margoa in February 2007 as one of his most memorable moments.