Sri Lanka’s rising stars dream of emulating class of 1996

29 September 2023 11:50 am - 21 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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When Sri Lanka clinched a shock 1996 World Cup triumph, Dunith Wellalage and Matheesha Pathirana were not even born, but the rising stars head to India determined to repeat the victory.

Both aged 20, fast bowler Pathirana and all-rounder Wellalage are undeterred by facing childhood heroes at the tournament that opens on October 5.

"We are looking forward to bringing the World Cup back to Sri Lanka," Pathirana told AFP.

"I want to win as many matches for Sri Lanka as I can."

The island nation is still hurting from the drubbing by India in the Asia Cup final this month in which they were all out for just 50 runs.

But Wellalage is confident that with the preparations they have undergone, Sri Lanka can do well at the World Cup.

"We have players with the experience of playing around the world," he said. "We plan it match by match... I think we can give a good account of ourselves."

Wellalage produced his best performance in one-day internationals in the Asia Cup match against India in Colombo on September 12, taking 5 for 40 although India went on to win by 41 runs.

"From my childhood, the player I adored is Virat Kohli," he said.

"To take his wicket gave me a lot of satisfaction. After I got his wicket, I couldn't believe that I had done it."

Wellalage approaches the game seemingly unruffled by the pressure on his young shoulders.

"If you handle the situations correctly, batting becomes easy," Wellalage said, who captained Sri Lanka in the U19 World Cup last year, scoring a century and claiming 17 wickets.

"When I get out to the middle, I always stick to simple plans," he said.

"If there is a senior player at the other end, I try to support him," he added.

"Otherwise, I try and rotate the strike as much as possible, reducing risky shots and try and put the pressure back on the bowling side."

Both young men credit their family for their swift rise.

Wellalage was handed his first bat aged five by his mother while his father, himself once a talented schoolboy cricketer, acted as bowler.

Pathirana's car salesman father is a diehard cricket fan, who instilled an early love of the sport.

Nicknamed "Baby Malinga" for his slingy action reminiscent of veteran bowler and compatriot Lasith Malinga, Pathirana said he perfected his unusual swing by playing baseball.

"From my childhood days I never bowled with the usual bowling action", he said.

Playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Chennai Super Kings brought Pathirana under the watchful eyes of skipper MS Dhoni.

"I learnt a lot from Dhoni. When I went there, I was a kid and no one knew me, but they trained and taught me several things," he said.

"Now, I know how to perform in any T20 game, and how to balance my four overs in a match. Dhoni told me; if I keep my body away from injury, I can achieve a lot for the team and the country."

Still, Pathirana acknowledges he is yet to master his unique arm action and bowls more wides than he wants.

"The coaches don't put pressure on me, they say that with my action, I will improve with age," he said.

After playing for the Under-19s at the 2020 and 2022 World Cups, Pathirana was fast tracked by Sri Lanka Cricket.

"I got a break to play in the Abu Dhabi T10, after that I played in the IPL, and with the IPL experience I graduated into the Sri Lanka team," he said.

Head coach Chris Silverwood called Pathirana a hard worker with a "big future".

Others have high praise for Wellalage too.

"He is a real star in the making who can do special things", said former India cricketer-turned-commentator Dinesh Karthik.

(AFP)

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Comments - 21

Gaston Friday, 29 September 2023 12:28 PM

Some of the wanted 'rising stars' look like making sure that they are available and by hook or crook get themselves fit to play for IPL and franchise cricket only. Their star is only the bank account. Unfortunate that we don't have Dushmanth and Hasaranga. Dont know how the rest of the bloaks could fill this void.

G W Friday, 29 September 2023 12:33 PM

Sri Lankan government must make sure Sri Lanka is never called as an island nation, it is an insult. Japan is an island , but no one calls it an island nation.

kumar Friday, 29 September 2023 04:30 PM

Why is it wrong to refer to Island Nation? Many Sri Lankans take pride in their country's isolation from its neighbors. How did that come to be insulting?

A Friday, 29 September 2023 12:51 PM

It will help if Capt is not a Passenger.

Terrebce K Friday, 29 September 2023 01:04 PM

We do not want Cricketers who dream and try to be like the World Cup Champions of 1996 which is just bragging. We want a team versatile, dedicated who have their own inherent skills and characteristics having originality with a strategy to take the opposing teams based on their competencies and having an edge to outclass their opponents one at a time with due diligence and determination. !!!!!!

Ranjan Friday, 29 September 2023 01:50 PM

Please, Dream about possibilities..!All the best to to get 25 all out, this time..!! Crazy team fr Srilanka, couldn't even bother to change the Captain of the team..!!

Hadam Friday, 29 September 2023 01:50 PM

Not in my lifetime. 1996 squad was not corrupted with money and fame.

Talk less, Bat more Friday, 29 September 2023 02:01 PM

Great, but 50 runs in their last match does not show much of their capabilities. Talk less, Bat more!!

Karalasingam Sivalingam Friday, 29 September 2023 03:56 PM

Wellalage keeps his under 29 performance, Sri Lanja has the ability to swin World cup.

Samuel Deraniya Friday, 29 September 2023 04:47 PM

It looks like they can joke also. Please learn to bat all 50 overs first. Some of the players even some openers are not helping either. When was the last time a player scored a 100? Don’t even see this bunch going beyond the first stage.

joshua Friday, 29 September 2023 04:52 PM

Please do not bring the plastic cup.

Andrew Fernando Friday, 29 September 2023 04:54 PM

Don't worry, we will be fine when Gunathilika joins the WC squad

Kasuntharaka Friday, 29 September 2023 05:57 PM

Yes, talking and working should go hand in hand if you really want to talk. Dont have too much overconfidence. Should work harder and harder and keep faith and use brain and good presence of mind to win each game

Shihab Akill Daiyan Friday, 29 September 2023 06:19 PM

No Angelo Mathews too.... They could have granted him to play in India. I don't know how they are going to tackle all the 9 teams in the World Cup.... SL without Hasaranga... Anyway let's join hands together and support our Sri Lankan Brothers to bring the 1996 back in 2023. All the very best and cheers!!!

Fred Friday, 29 September 2023 06:33 PM

Pathirana an attacking bowler in the style of Malinga and Wellalage with a mental strength beyond his years, with the ability to make things happen, a thinking player

Jude Friday, 29 September 2023 08:17 PM

Keep dreaming!!!

VJ Friday, 29 September 2023 09:42 PM

Cricket is what happens on the day of the game. Past scores is not relevant. To repeat 1996, we must have a good and reliable players. Must win the toss and elect to field first. Heavy dew is also necessary. Just go out there and enjoy the game. Good luck!

Learn to set big targets Saturday, 30 September 2023 09:33 AM

Indian grounds are smaller, and even an unreputed team can defeat a good team. A lot of upsets are possible because a shot not well timed can easily go for 6. So even Afghanistan can be a threat in such situation. 320 plus scores are needed usually to challenge the team batting second. Our guys think more than 280 is above par, but it is way too low to challenge. No need to time the shot completely, it can still go over the boundary

S B Lokuge Saturday, 30 September 2023 02:59 PM

It is a pity Dasun Shanaka has no conscious and shame. Is he in the team only for the big bucks? He should forgo the next game and let Chamika Karunaratne play who can bowl a lot more overs and score more runs. Those players oppose to Shanaka's sacking must be kicked out of the team too.

Sambo Saturday, 30 September 2023 08:04 PM

With this type of a team to bring the world cup. Are you day dreamlining. If you can get to the second stage it will be like winning the world cup.

cricket fan Sunday, 01 October 2023 12:02 PM

@Learn to set big targets. Currently India has got some of the largest and state of the art cricket grounds in the world. Narenda Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is the largest cricket ground in the world with a seating capacity of 135,000 spectators to the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia which could accomodate just 100,000 once considered the largest in the world. Tickets for the 2023 World Cup match on 14 October between arch rivals India and Pakistan is reported already sold out.

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Sri Lanka’s rising stars dream of emulating class of 1996

Comments - 21

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