'Hathuru' in grand form

By Sa`adi Thawfeeq

20 December 1996


Sri Lanka and Tamil Union Test opener Chandika Hathurusingha has, after a tough initiation to South Australia's premier grade cricket competition, found excellent form for his club Elizabeth CC.

The right-handed opener overlooked by his country for the 'A' series against West Indies and the forthcoming tour of New Zealand, has turned out to be a model of consistency in the five matches he has played for his club so far.

Having started the season with a knock of 24 v Sturt, Hathurusingha was soon among the runs, following it up with scores of 55 v Kensington, 48 v Southern District, 60 v University and 78 v East Torrens.

The local newspaper running the headline: 'Hathurusingha makes fine 78' said: ``Hathurusingha showed dashing form with several magnificent late cuts and leg side boundaries''.

In another news item related to the Sri Lankan cricketer, the newspaper said: ``Elizabeth has hardly caused a ripple since it entered South Australia's premier grade cricket competition three years ago. But all that is about to change.

``The fledgling club, which won only one A grade match in its first three seasons, is riding high on a new wave of enthusiasm, generated by the arrival of a new senior coach and an international cricket star, Chandika Hathurusingha who is on five-month playing role with the club.

``The addition of Chandika to the side is expected to lift the team to heights it has never before reached,'' said the newspaper.

It quoted the clubs professional coach Rob Wincer as telling: ``I fully supported the club's moves to secure Chandika; It's something we needed to do. What we didn't have at Elizabeth was an international or state cricketer to act as role model for the youngsters''.


Source: The Daily News

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Date-stamped : 25 Feb1998 - 18:45