Former Sri Lankan oneday international player Manjula Munasinghe is the only Hampton Park resident who can say he has clean bowled former Australian batsman Mark Waugh for a duck.Manjula Munasinghe helps AusLanka Cricket Academy student Dmithri Manawadu wBy Glen Atwell
THE Aus-Lanka Cricket Academy is in full stride for the upcoming cricket season.
More than 50 young cricketers are perfecting their batting, bowling and fielding under the guidance of three former international players.
The Sri Lankan trio of Manjula Munasinghe, Ravi Ratnayake and Sanjeewa Weerasinghe are coaching the lucky students and are excited about the talent in the local area.
“There is a very high level of ability and potential,” Munasinghe said.
Originally based in Dandenong, the academy moved to the Melbourne Cricket Centre in Clayton, where the under-11, -13, -15 and 15-and-over groups train every Sunday morning.
All three coaches are qualified and bring international experience.
Munasinghe, 33, played several one-day internationals for Sri Lanka and more than 50 first class matches.
He is the only Hampton Park resident to have recorded bowling figures of 3/30 against Australia on the hallowed turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The match was in January 1996 and Munasinghe dismissed Michael Slater, Mark Taylor, both caught behind, and Mark Waugh, who was clean bowled by the Sri Lankan paceman for a duck.
Ratnayake, 45, played 22 tests for Sri Lanka between 1981 and 1990 and bowled to Australian batting legends, including David Boon and Allan Border, on many occasions.
Weerasinghe is the youngest player ever to represent Sri Lanka and will oversee the spin-bowling component of the academy.
Munasinghe said the motive behind the academy was to enable players to improve technique and be successful cricketers.
“They will be able to be involved with the game all year round.
“Our aim is to produce cricketers who will go on to represent Victoria and possibly Australia,” Munasinghe said.
With the help of sponsors, each year one player from the academy will be chosen to visit Sri Lanka for further exposure and training at the Sri Lanka Cricket Academy.
The Aus-Lanka Cricket Academy has the use of bowling machines and video analysis equipment to maximise the group’s potential, but Ratnayake said the element of fun is encouraged.
“Some of the younger kids just love having a hit and playing cricket, it’s about fun as well,” he said.
At the end of each term each child is given an individual written report, focusing on their strengths and highlighting parts of their game that could be improved.
Former Sri Lanka opening batsman Athula Samarasekara will give participants a special visit during the school holiday programs.
Anyone interested in joining the academy should contact Achini, phone 0401 559 114.
