The bitter experience has made me a better bowler says Sachithra Senanayake
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By Michael Knight
Utility player cum off spinner Sachithra Senanayake is back with a bang, and says that the turbulent experience he underwent twice in his cricket career has made him much stronger than ever since been given the green light by the ICC to continue his cricket career. Senanayake, whose bowling action ran into question in 2014 during a series against England, is upbeat that ‘I was able to make my comeback against England and show my colours.’ “Following the ban, the three comeback matches against England on home soil I feel were a great reward of justice. That is performing against them and winning matches for my country,” quipped Sachithra Senanayake in an exclusive interview with ‘Sporty’. He went on to discuss the pros and cons of the game pertaining to his career, about the impending ODI series against New Zealand, how it would be an ideal acclimatising platform for the Sri Lankan juggernaut, and his future. Following is the interview:
Sporty.lk: Can you recall that last ball six you hit in your debut ODI match?
Sachitra: Actually I did not think of hitting a six at the time. But it was in the back of my mind that we had to somehow win that match. That is what was working in my mind as I took strike to that delivery. That gave me a great deal of self belief. That is what spurred me on to perform well.
Sporty.lk: In the recent past there was much controversy surrounding your bowling action. How did you face the situation?
Sachitra: There are bad times you have to face in this sport. It was not the first time I underwent such a situation. In 2008 also such an issue propped up during the England tour. Even though I was bowling with great success I was unable to continue playing due to such an obstacle relating to my bowling action. This resulted in my having to go to Australia for rehabilitation of my bowling arm. Thereafter, I was able to get the ICC green light. With the clearance, I was able to make a successful return to international cricket. I continued to play for two more years. But once again, the same issue propped up. That too happened during the England tour. Although those were very unfortunate incidents in my career, it never put me down. I was unfazed by it and once again face it bravely and got myself cleared once again. I think that that has been a good challenge to my cricket career. That is because I believe I am playing even better than I did earlier. As such, I am happy that I have been able to overcome such career obstacles and move forward. It is a part of my success story.
Sporty.lk: You faced England once again on making a comeback. How was it facing England as you did when you first made a comeback?
Sachitra: In fact, I was convinced that by the time of the England tour to Sri Lanka in 2014 I would be able to make a comeback. So, being able to do so gave me a great satisfaction although I missed the first five matches. Being able to play in the last three games was a big morale booster to me. I had an inner desire to make my return against England which and getting the opportunity was really timely. I wanted to perform and win against them. Senanayake said that he particularly wanted to draw the attention of the England players to my bowling to them and see how they reacted. The end result was great.
Sporty.lk: The 2015 Cricket World Cup is round the corner, and you will be performing for Sri Lanka against New Zealand in the last assignment Sri Lanka undertakes before the World Cup proper. That will be the ideal build-up to the big event?
Sachitra: Actually, The New Zealand tour would certainly be a platform for us to strengthen our game and to be in top fettle since the world cup is to be held in Australia and New Zealand. Therefore, the Kiwi leg of the tour would enable us to ideally accustom ourselves to the weather and pitch patterns and other conditions in those countries which are similar in Australia and New Zealand.
Sporty.lk: How would you reflect on your career so far?
Sachitra: I am so happy about what I have achieved so far. Since completing my studies and starting full time cricket I was about three years on the sidelines of lower rung domestic cricket. That enabled me to get a real gauge of how I needed to approach my professional career to gain national recognition. Thereafter, I had the opportunity of meeting national players and exchanging ideas with them which were very useful to me in the final assessment. I had learnt exactly how to do my homework to gain a national call up. Playing division one cricket further enabled me to fine tune my bowling. I was able to claim 15 wickets from 3 matches. Thereafter I became the best division one bowler followed up by becoming the best bowler in A division cricket. It was after four years of playing domestic premier league cricket that I won my national cap.
Sporty.lk: Anything you would like to tell your fans?
Sachitra: Actually, I am delighted to take this opportunity to thank my cricket fans who have supported me and been a tremendous morale strength to me. Whenever there were setbacks to my career and I was upset, they rallied me forward by stating through various media channels that they wanted to see me back on the cricket field. This I value greatly and owe them a big thank you. I value my fans more than anything for it is the cricket fan base strength that is a huge boon to any player. I must say I have ever indebted to my fans.
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