Kaushal Lokuarachchi      

Loukaracchchi is unfortunate that he belongs to an era where there are two other right-arm legspinners are also vying for a berth in the national team. The presence of Upul Chandana and Malinga Bandara meant that 'Loku', as he is referred to by team-mates, had no place in the national team which also has the inimitable offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

It seems Loku has somewhat decided that his best chance to play in the national team is in the shorter version of the game. He says he loves to play one-day cricket and his style of bowling and batting is most suited to it. "It is difficult to play one-day cricket than Test cricket because the intensity is great. I love the challenge," Loku said.

He believes as a legspinner he has a lot to learn, but admits gaining experience each time he plays for his country. He is also a useful batsman down the order with two first-class centuries and a batting average of 27.

He tarnished his cricket career in August 2003 when he was involved in a fatal late-night car crash which resulted in him being banned on disciplinary grounds for four months. Loku has put that bad experience behind him and concentrated on trying to win back his place in the national side.

He had an outstanding career at St. Peter's College where he won the best bowler's prize and was also voted Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year. Loku then joined Bloomfield in 1999 and represented them till last season when he changed clubs and went to SSC where he took 14 wickets in the Premier league semi-final against Colts and followed it up with a century which is the best performance of his career so far.

Has benefited from attending Sri Lanka Spin Academy headed by former Sri Lanka offspinner Ruwan Kalpage and from coaching received from Sri Lanka A-team coach Chandika Hathurusingha.
Sa'adi Tawfeeq July 2007