The business-like Kaluwitharana

In the years to come this cricket-crazy island will throw up more freaks, mavericks or audacious stroke makers but Kalu will retain his place in history as the man who changed the concept of opening batting — an innovation that resulted in Sri Lanka coming of age in the World Cup. In this slam-bang age, the Kalu-Jaya formula is worthy of making it to cricketing text books. Ask him about the early days of the new experiment and Kaluwitharana paints a vivid picture. “I was batting at No.7 but Arjuna Ranatunga, Duleep Mendis and coach Dav Whatmore suggested that I should open. We were both stroke players and our idea was to attack the bowlers”.