Sajeewa Weerakoon – a saga of missed opportunities
View(s):By Naushad Amit
Sri Lanka may have seen heroes from time to time, but in the case of Sajeewa Weerakoon it’s totally about a fighting spirit. Left-arm spinner Weerakoon, 34, has been rated behind Rangana Herath and has never been able to fulfil his dream. Weerakoon has just played two One Day Internationals for the country and pick the wicket of Pakistani batsman Asad Shafiq in his debut.
But what makes Weerakoon unique as a left-arm spinner and a bowler is for becoming the fifth bowler from Sri Lanka to go by the milestone of 700 first class wickets. Others in the list, in order of highest number of wickets are the greats Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas, Rangana Herath and Dinuk Hettiarachchi. But for couple of reasons Weerakoon is different.. 
“Though I’m the fifth Sri Lankan bowler to reach this milestone I’m the only bowler from the lot, not to play a Test match. Others have played at least one game. All my 710 first class wickets are from the Sri Lankan domestic and English county games,” the frontline spinning allrounder from Colts Cricket Club said.
Despite some of his impressive performances Weerakoon have always been the second choice next to Herath at Tests. He stressed that at times has felt being like a warrior fighting for the wrong cause.
“But I will not give up my ambition for any reason. I have become the best bowler of Sri Lanka Cricket’s Premier tournament five times and still could not impress the selectors. I really don’t know the reason but I have always felt that I was overlooked at some points when I was at my peak”
But his consistency during 2005 in the domestic season as well as for the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team, helped Weerakoon to force the selectors to include him in the Tour to India consisting three Tests. But then again he travelled with the team just as a tourist, not being named for a single game.
“In 2005 I picked 60 wickets in six games against the ‘A’ teams of South Africa and New Zealand. But still I never got the opportunity to play a single Test match. Personally I think the former selectors really did not bother on certain players and I feel I’m one of them,” Weerakoon added.
Being a six-footer, probably the tallest among left-arm spinners in Sri Lanka, Weerakoon also revealed another fact that was quite revealing. He probably becomes the only player not to have the services of a manager.
“Today if you take even a youth national player or a fresh first class cricketer, he has a manager. But closer to two decades I have been managing myself, of course with a little help from my friends.” a gritty Weerakoon said.
Despite having the ideal height as a left-arm spinner and being labelled as the second choice to Herath, Weerakoon enjoys a good relationship with other spinners in the Sri Lankan circuit. This includes his nemesis, Herath.
“Rangana and I, especially share a very good friendship. It is the same with others in the field. I don’t have any enemies in this trade because we share lot secrets and tips as spinners. Even Rangana (Herath) insists that I should keep on playing and I too have the strange feeling that there will be an opening someday. Until then I will fight and if I fail I will retire with grace, with a good impression. And I will move to teaching youngsters, especially left-arm spinners, how to become good spin bowlers and moreover spirited fighters. I will not let others suffer the same fate,” an adamant Weerakoon concluded.
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