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The Bandara saga
Six months ago had the name Malinga Bandara been mentioned, many, even Sri Lankans, would have queried – Who is Malinga Bandara? In fact the selectors played him far too young, at eighteen, in a Test match and then discarded him. The same fate has befallen other youngsters who have been brought in too early in their careers, played a test or two and then have never been heard of again. Roshan Jurangpathy, Sanjeeva Weerasinghe, and late Roshan Gunaratne are names that readily come to mind.

Not so with Bandara. He must be admired for courageously soldiering on. Sri Lanka’s domestic tournaments do not offer the competition or the toughness to build a player to step into the international ranks. It is a case of playing and performing well and simply waiting for the opportunity.

Performance becomes the key. Depending on the individuals’ trade, scoring stacks of runs or capturing heaps of wickets is the only way to draw the selectors’ attention. Present Captain Marvan Atapattu did just that as a batsman, after the not so memorable start that he had to his career. He kept on scoring runs for the Singhalese Sports Club, got a recall and has never looked back.

Perhaps it is easier for a batsman. To brush-up batting technique is easier than having to remodel or adjust a bowling action. To master leg spin bowling is really tough.

No doubt Bandara would have spent hours on end at the nets. What spinners need to do is bowl a lot onto a spot. The right area to pitch the ball to the right hand and left hand batsmen, with consistency is the aim of the exercise. This is another avenue that has helped in the Bandara comeback.

With Muttiah Muralitharan devouring most of the spinners quota of overs in the test matches and the availability of batsmen who can bowl their quota of overs in the one dayers, has made it difficult for a second spinner to establish himself in the Sri Lankan side.

Leg spinner Upul Chandana is the player who has had the most opportunities to play, be in the squad and tour. This made a re-entry of Bandara a tough ask. Chandana could also contribute a share of runs and was a brilliant fielder. Then, Kaushal Lokuaratchi found his way into the side. Perhaps another case of a spinner being blooded too early. He is still on the fringe and has also moved clubs to the S.S.C., in a bid to regain his spot in the national squad.
A younger player overtaking him must have affected Bandara mentally. Yet he stuck to his task and with improving performances found his way back into the ‘A’ team. Those tri-nation fixtures was the turning point. He bowled well, was accurate, picked-up wickets and scored some runs too. One of the opposing teams was England and some people took notice of him.

Upul Chandana secured a contract to play county cricket for “Gloucestershire” during the last English summer. When Chandana had to return for the West Indian Tour Bandara got the call-up as a replacement. Bandara grabbed the opportunity with open arms. He performed extremely well and took giant steps forward in developing his confidence and overall approach to the games.
That is what playing county cricket does. It is a full time professional job and the overseas players have more responsibility and more is expected, than from the locals. Muralitharan, Vaas, Jayasuriya, have also savored this experience. No doubt they have benefited too. But take your mind back to 1995 when Aravinda de Silva went over to play for Kent C.C.C. He enjoyed a wonderful season and that in fact helped make him the complete cricketer. He was transformed from very good to a world class player.

For Bandara the Gloucester experience came just when he needed a kick to his career. Now, six months later he has established himself as a test and ODI player. There is plenty of cricket for the Sri Lankans this year and Bandara is bound to benefit from all the experiences. The leg spinner is now a name in World Cricket and the County stint has helped set it up.

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