Gem city hopes for bright cricketing future

The vast development strides Sri Lanka are making towards cricket in the rural areas of the island must be seen to be believed.

Up to 1996, very little cricket was played in rural areas, but after Sri Lanka won the World Cup, a transition period was seen in these areas. No matter what part of the country one traces, any bare space of land was used-up by kids plying cricket.

Better known as Sri Lanka's Gem city, Ratnapura is 56 miles from Colombo. She's a hub city for cricket, with lads from the local schools in the area having taken to the game in a very positive manner.

With only three grounds in the vicinity, lads from the local school play most of their cricket on the major ground, which is situated in the town.

Speaking to Cricinfo, one of the local school masters said, ``If we are fortunate enough to have a turf wicket in the area, our cricket would make giant strides for the future development of the game in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Cricket Board has been very helpful. But the need for cricket to be played on turf is important. All our cricket is played on mat.''

Ratnapura play in Div III of the Cricket Board tournament. The enthusiasm the lads have for the game in the area is unbelievable. One tall well-build lad from one of the local schools said while practicing: ``I am training on my own to be a fast bowler near 5ft 10ins in height. My coach has taught me to concentrate on bowling line and length and work on my speed later. I don't know how good I am bowling on mat as there is no movement off the wicket like you get playing on turf.''

Financially, these lads are not well off, but the hunger for the game will enable them to reach the top. ``Our parents encourage us to play the game, but the price to play cricket is exorbitant. ``We have to very often share cricket material with others. To own one's own bat is a rare luxury, which our parents can't afford,'' said the lad.

Little Rohan, only 15 years old, but smashing the ball about at practice said, ``I want to be the next Aravinda de Silva, but to do that, I need help. My father is only a farmer and can't afford to give my needs. I know I face an uphill task, but God's on my side and I will get there.''

Rural cricket has improved beyond any doubt. If one were to look at the Under-15 Sri Lanka team which recently toured Malaysia for the Junior Asia Cup, nine of the 16 players are from outstation or rural areas.

Sri Lanka's newly elected Cricket Board at a recent meeting laid the foundation for rural cricket to be at its best. Funding, tournaments, better grounds and helping the talented is what the Board is looking at.

The National Development Committee (NDC), which has been set up, will evaluate the present development programmes, tournament structures, facilities rendered by the Board, infra-structure and materials through the DCA's.

Ratnapura district will in the near future produce some would be Sri Lanka Test players. Driving further inland into the neck of-the-woods, boys are seen playing cricket on a concrete strip. This concrete practice strip has been provided by the Sri Lanka Cricket Board. Speaking to some of them, they said we all play school cricket in Ratnapura but need to play against some of the Colombo schools to know how good they are. ``Now that the School Cricket Association has been formed, a school's tournament in age groups under 15, 17 and 19 we do have a chance reaching the top,'' said one of them.

No less than six have already being picked from Ratnapura district to undergo special coaching and training by the cricket board in Colombo. Those lads will be under the board's panel of cricket coaches.

Under the new development programme, coaches from the board's panel will visit the area to unearth hidden talents. These lads will receive all help from the board with an allowance payable to meet their needs. Cricket kit will also be provided. The leading clubs would then be able to contract these players. A bright future is ahead of them.