Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Under-19 Fast Bowling Coach Chamila Gamage said that he first spotted Praveen Jayawickrama and Pathum Nissanka during the Under-15 Inter-Provincial Cricket Tournament.
The two promising cricketers have now emerged as Sri Lanka’s latest finds following their outstanding performances during the West Indies and Bangladesh Test series.
“Both Nissanka and Jayawickrama have made vast strides from junior level onwards and now they have shown their real potential,” said Gamage who was SLC’s Kalutara District Coach in 2013.
“Their team Basnahira South Outer entered the final and Nissanaka and Jayawickrama were named Best Batsman and Best Bowler in this tournament.”
“I was in charge of the Under-13, 15, 17, and 19 teams as a District Coach. Both Nissanka and Jayawickrama had good potential and also got the chance to play in the Under-19 teams while they were playing Under-15.”
“Their schools were involved in the Division Two Tournament at that time but I made arrangements to get them to play for two leading schools in Colombo as they had the talent to reach the national level.”
“I think this was the turning point of their career. Both Nissanka and Jayawickrama got the opportunity to play for the Sri Lanka Under-19 team under the guidance of Coach Roy Dias.”
“The players' discipline and their dedication are always two important factors to come to a higher level. I always wanted to build up these areas and provided good lessons to these two players.”
“Even today, both players do speak to me and get advice and their dedication is always very high,” Gamage added.
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