The dedicated Cambrian spinner with a grit
Committed and dedicated spinner Kaumal is an energetic youngster - Pic by Sameera Weerasekara.
A cricketer, regardless of age, who steps on to the cricket field has aims. With dedication and application his task is made look simple. Kaumal Nanayakkara, the broad-shouldered Prince of Wales College’s left-arm orthodox spinner is such a character.
Having reaching the target of 80 wickets last season, this ace Cambrian spinner is aiming to capture 100 wickets in this ongoing 2018-19 season. Nanayakkara is highly confident that his target is a certain one and hopes to become the second bowler of this century-old school after last year’s skipper Savindu Peiris, to reach that feat.
He is a bowler who reads the batsman first and starts to attack the weaker points using the crease in variations. According to Nanayakkara the majority of his wickets come from catching within the close region. Having already captured 53 wickets up to last week in seven matches, this youngster is certain that he will reach the target he set for himself in reaching the milestone of 100 wickets in the remaining seven matches.
Representing Colombo in the Inter Province Under-23 tournament, Nanayakkara became the highest wicket taker of the tournament and was mainly responsible in his team’s success becoming the champions. He captured 23 wickets in three matches.
In the ongoing season, so far his haul of 53 wickets included two match bags of 10 wickets and a match bag of nine wickets. A match bag of 11 wickets against D.S. Senanayake College and a bag of 10 wickets against President’s College were few of his outstanding performances. In the clash against Isipathana College last week, Nanayakkara was among the wickets again and ended with a match bag of nine wickets.
A rare type of a bowler who makes the batsman play each delivery of the over, is a keen student of the game is ever ready to listen to his seniors and always tries some thing new in his attack.
The youngest of a family of four, this gutty cricketer is guided by his parents who are enthusiastic cricket fans. According to Nanayakkara in victory and in defeat their advises are highly effective and had helped him shape up to be a sportsman on and off the field. Having cut his teeth in cricket at Sri Sumangala College Panadura, Nanayakkara paid a rich tribute to his coaches of his former school and the present coaches who are behind his successes on the cricket field.
Speaking to the Sunday Times with a genuine smile on his face, Nanayakkara said that he intends to plan his future after reaching his target of 100 wickets and said he will give his best to whichever team he is selected and to the motherland.