At the zenith of his school cricket career

Umesh Karunarathne : Observer - Mobitel schoolboy cricketer of the year:

By Panchamee HEWAVISSENTI

Umesh Karunarathne delivered in both batting and bowling. Here is a budding cricketer, a fervent hope in future Sri Lankan cricket. His ability has never been in question; for why he’s adjudged the most outstanding schoolboy cricketer of the year.

A powerful striker of the ball and bustling paceman; he should be thought of as someone who would answer Sri Lanka’s need for an all-rounder.It was celebration time for Umesh. He was the man of the ‘Observer - Mobitel schoolboy cricketer of the year’ show.

The hero was taken on to the stage up seated in a chair. Necks of the audience lifted suddenly; their eyes directed at the person who’s descending on to the stage like in fairy tales.The hero rollickingly stood on the stage and received the ‘Observer-Mobitel schoolboy cricketer of the year’ award, amidst the huge applause and cheer from the audience.

It was the 2007-08 school cricket season in which, Umesh, who captained the Thurstan College side showcased his talents to the country for its people to have hope for this budding cricketer.

Steering the team in a proper way towards victory, this impulsive cricketer appeared to be reading the situations better. He constructed knocks in crisis situations, relished the responsibility of being a senior and the captain in the side.

During the 2007-08 season, Umesh leading the Thurstan College side with his crew put up a brave show and gutted Isipathana College, Colombo. Sensing victory on Thurstan’s side and heaving a sign of relief at the final match Thurstan Vs Isipathana became complacent.

Umesh has the knack of spotting the opponents’ relaxed approach and gave Isipathana a shock in the end overs at the Twenty 20 big match at the SSC grounds.There has been times that he received the blame from his coaches for not following their instructions.

“Sometimes my coaches blamed me for not listening to them and handling the team the way I wanted. At all times I convinced my coaches and promised them to take the team towards victory.” This young, yet mature thinker says in a confident voice. “As I promised them I was able to do it”.

Thurstan won the series of 16 matches with 8 victories and 8 draws. Things on the ground unfolded according to Umesh’s plan. The opponents were subdued and unable to defeat Umesh’s side.

This gave the hint of his perfectness on the field for his coaches and others who judged him that he’s an adamant captain. There were no major fielding lapses on his side to be seen. Although at the end, when Umesh steered Thurstan to victory, he was showered with praises in abundance.

His coaches who always advised him for his success and who spearheaded in developments of the players in the team were proud of their junior. “Everyone started admiring me.

My coaches and teachers at school said that they have been lucky to have new up and coming match-winner. And they also said that my outstanding performance with my skill and temperament was brilliant.”Known in the Thurstan cricket team as the captain with a tender heart, Umesh has taken part in many international tournaments.

Sri Lanka won the under 14 match against Malaysia and the Triangular series with Malaysia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka- Sri Lanka became the champions. Sri Lanka became under 19 runner - up in the match with Bangaladesh and England in Bangladesh. Last January he took part in the match against England and Pakistan and the team became the runner- up.

He’s not been a tough character anyway. Though the ‘toughness’ is an essential quality of any captain. He believes that a good rapport between the captain and his team is vital to win. “I’m not very harsh on my teammates.

They can share anything with me. At times when they’re scolded by coaches or master-in-charge, I could see their morale going down. Since I too have experienced that, I know how their feelings are. So, whenever my teammates are being blamed, I often try to defend them and speak for them.

Although it’s disadvantage for me, I’m their big brother. When my younger brothers face any critical situation, I can’t just get away without resolving their matter.”Though he’s the big brother of the team, he’s the youngest in the family of three - his elder brother is studying in the UK, and the other one is hoping to fly to UK soon. Umesh has an intention to go to UK and play county cricket. But his big dream of being a member of the national cricket team overshadows all that.

Despite large chunks of time being consumed by cricketing concerns, Umesh has to work on his studies too, though he exhibits little enthusiasm on studies.

He was to sit for A/Ls last year, but due to lack of preparation for the exam as he had to play for several matches, he had no option but to postpone the A/L exam to the following year.Umesh sat for A/Ls this year in the Arts stream. “When I entered A/L class, I initially started studying in the commerce stream. But I found it difficult to balance studies with my cricketing career.

So, midway I dropped Commerce subjects and started studying in the Arts stream.”Though he seems to have no bigger aspirations in his educational life, there’s a strong hope gleaming in his eyes to enter the Sri Lankan cricket team.

He’s already playing for ‘Bloomfield’ Cricket Club under the coach Tharanga.It’s not at all an easy path for any cricketer. They have to showcase their talents in various capacities such as bowling, batting and fielding. So, this young cricketer’s next hope is to enter into the ‘Development Squad’ to sharpen his talents further which were initially detected by his school coach Dinesh Weerasinghe.

He started playing cricket for school’s under 15 team. Though his interest for cricket has been sprouted in him at an infant age like just 4 years. He remembers how he had been addicted to cricket.

“That time I was going to nursery. I was not more than 4 years old. There was a cricket match on TV and the first part of it I watched at home the previous day. I wanted to watch the other part of it, so that I didn’t want to go to nursery.

But my parents didn’t let me stay at home or watch the match since I was too small. After my mother dropped me at the montessori, I soon strode out to a neighbouring house to watch the match.

My teachers and parents were frightened since I was missing. Then one of the guys had told them that he’d seen me going to a particular direction. When they found me at that neighbour’s house, I was very reluctant to leave the match and go.” Umesh elaborates.

He was born with a liking for cricket in him. The exciting fact is that the majority of those who were awarded the ‘Observer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year’ have gain access to the National Cricket Team.

Like Ranjan Madugalle, Arjuna Ranatunga, Roshan Mahanama, Asanka Gurusinha, Kumar Dharmasena, Marvan Atapattu, Muttiah Muralitharan, Thilan Samaraweera, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Ferveez Mahroof... is not ebullient schoolboy cricketer Umesh the next hope of Sri Lanka who may gain access to the National Team.