Pocket-sized Nissanka was destined for greatness

Pathum Nissanka (R) led his teammates off the field at the end of day four of the first Test against West Indies at Antigua – AFP

• Joins select band of Lankans who have scored a century on Test debut

The big moment – Pathum Nissanka celebrates scoring a hundred on Test debut on the fourth day of the first Test against West Indies at Antigua – AFP

Brendon Kuruppu

Romesh Kaluwitharana

Thilan Samaraweera

 That Pathum Nissanka, the diminutive top order batsman, would one day break into the Test circuit was predicted by former Sri Lanka ‘A’ team Coach Avishka Gunawardene two years ago when he compiled a match-saving 217 off 274 balls to help Sri Lanka ‘A’ draw the second unofficial test against Ireland ‘A’ at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium – Sooriyawewa and thereby win the two-match series 1-0.

Nissanka’s innings came at a crucial time for his team who were forced to follow-on 205 runs behind Ireland A’s first innings total of 508/8 declared and were trying to stave off a possible defeat having lost 4/139 in their second innings. Nissanka kept the Lankan ‘A’ innings afloat batting session after session and building up important partnerships to carry Sri Lanka ‘A’ safely to 468/7 and draw the ‘test’.

“He never looked like getting out,” was how Gunawardene described Nissanka’s epic knock. 

“We always thought that he had talent and the one good thing about him is when he gets set and gets a good score he goes onto get a big one. That is something that is lacking in most of our batsmen today. He is only playing his maiden first-class season and to his credit he has already scored two double hundreds. At 21, that says a lot. I keep reminding him that it’s a good reputation to have. Unless you get him out early, he is going to get a big one.”

“I’ve seen Kaushal Silva bat for hours and hours, but this guy not only has the patience of Kaushal but has a big range of shots, he can drive, pull and cut. He has a combination of patience and range of shots, which is a very good thing to have,” continued Gunawardene. 

“To me, when you look at him he has a very sound and simple technique. He handles spin very well. The best thing I see is that he is totally focussed in his game and not bothered about what’s going on outside, which is an excellent attitude for Test cricket. If you look at his career throughout, the centuries he has scored are all big ones. That’s a very good sign for the future. To me, he looks like in another 6-7 months he can be our next Test opener.”

At Antigua against the West Indies in the first Test, Nissanka didn’t open the innings. He played as a middle order batsman to plug the yawning gap left by the departure of the experienced Angelo Mathews, and how well he seized the opportunity to score a 103 on debut and seize the initiative from the West Indies.

Only three other Sri Lankan batsmen have performed Nissanka’s feat before him. The first two were wicket-keeper/batsmen – Brendon Kuruppu, who is the only wicket-keeper in the world to score a double hundred on Test debut – 201* against New Zealand at the CCC in 1987 and Romesh Kaluwitharana, who scored 132* against Australia at the SSC in 1992. The third debut centurion was Thilan Samaraweera, who made 103* against India at the SSC in 2001. Nissanka became the first Sri Lankan to make a century away from home in his Test debut.  

From his school days, Nissanka, who represented Kalutara Vidyalaya and later Isipathana College, had this habit of scoring double centuries. The pocket-sized opener scored his first double century against Meepawala Amarasuriya College when he was just 14 and in the same year, he went onto play first XI cricket for Kalutara Vidyalaya. Two years later, he clobbered his second double ton in a first XI match against Debarawewa MMV.

After three years with Kalutara Vidyalaya, Nissanka moved to Isipathana, where he continued his prolific run making for two more years, scoring an 205* off 190 balls against President’s College – Rajagiriya at Colts grounds. It was while playing for Isipathana that he was picked to represent his country for the first time. Playing for Sri Lanka against South Africa in the Under-19 Youth Test, he scored a memorable 172. He was also a part of the historic Sri Lanka U-19 squad that toured England where they won the youth Test series 1-0 and the youth ODI series 3-0.

Nissanka has a come a long way since being taught how to hold a bat by his father Sunil Silva at the tender age of five. He has been a prolific run-getter in the domestic circuit for NCC, and former NCC and Sri Lankan cricketer turned international commentator Russel Arnold tweeted: “Well done Pathum Nissanka, showing great strength in character as overlooked after mountain of runs. Hope he stays @Nondescripts CC proving you don’t need to play at certain clubs to play for Sri Lanka...simple mantra ... score runs ... pick-up wickets...Congratulations.”

Former Sri Lanka cricket legends also congratulated the 22-year-old on his exceptional feat.

Sanath Jayasuriya, approving Arnold’s comments, said: “Well said, I couldn’t have said it better myself.”  

Mahela Jayawardene: “Averaging 67 in domestic cricket for the last three years, young man finally gets an opportunity… well done Pathum.”

Nissanka’s batting partner at NCC Upul Tharanga: “Pathum was the best domestic player during the last three seasons. He patiently waited for the international call and showed how good he is.”

Nissanka’s Captain at NCC Angelo Perera: “Nissanka is a fighter!! Feel sorry for the individuals who said he was never international material. Runs, runs and runs is all he got for the last three years!! Definitely the most consistent batsman in the SL domestic system.” (ST)