Hathurusinghe In Good Form (20 Dec 1996)

20 December 1996

`Hathuru` in grand form

By Sa`adi Thawfeeq

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 :: Daily News (https://www.lanka.net)