Upul Tharanga: the rock and roll batsman of the Sri Lankan Lions
Steadily moving up in the world of Sri Lankan cricket, Upul Tharanga, the opening top-class batsman for the Lions, has carved out a place for himself in the batting line-up of today’s team. As a player who loves to stroke centuries and build up long innings,
Tharanga forms the bulk of his side’s batting line has. The blue-eyed boy of Sanath Jayasuriya, a former Sri Lankan batting ace, Tharanga is a strong candidate for captaincy. Throughout his career, he has been an occasional wicketkeeper but a constant batsman.
Tharanga gradually but staunchly passed through the different stages of his career. Under-15s, U17s, U-19s, First-Class and List A, he has been dominated every stage. By Cracking 117 against South Africa in the U-19s World Cup 2004, he imposed on the selectors
of the national cricket team that he was the future of Sri Lankas batting attack.
Tharanga was born on 2 February, 1985 at Balapitiya, Sri Lanka. He started cricket when he was a school boy. His cricket mania reached its peak in Dharmasoka College and it led him to join the Nondescripts, a cricket team. At the age of 15, he was selected
in the U-15s team. Then passing through U-17s, he reached a U-19s squad that was set to play the U-19s World Cup in 2004. This tournament catapulted his career when he slugged 117 runs against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 and 61 against India. These accomplishments were sufficient
for his selection in the national team.
2005 brought huge destruction in its wake as a Tsunami hitting the Sri Lanjan islands washed away a number of towns and villages including his hometown. Some of his family members also lost their lives. In the same year, Tharanga got a chance to reach the
international level and showcase his skills to the cricketing world. So on 2 August, 2005, he stepped into Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium to play his maiden One Day International (ODI) against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760. Opening the innings, he scored just six
runs.
On 18 December, 2005, Tharanga staged his debut in Test cricket with a match against India at Sardar Patel Stadium, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750. In his maiden Test innings, he scored just two runs but in the second he cracked 47 with the help of eight fours. Thus he cemented
his position in the team. 2006 was another ground-breaking year in his career. In a series against England, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 white washed their opponents 5-0. Tharanga contributed 300 runs including 109 in a record breaking partnership with Jayasuriya.
Later in the same year, he also made his T20 debut. His maiden T20 was against England on 15 June, 2006 at The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rose-c86842 Bown, Southampton. In an opening partnership with Jayasuriya, Tharanga scored 34 from 25 deliveries including 4 fours and 1 six.
In his first ICC World Cup 2007, Tharanga could not thrive. He scored just 1 fifty. But this experience was landmark in his career.
During his five year career, Tharanga has played 15 Tests, 113 ODIs and 8 T20s. His scorecard contains 713 Test, 3522 ODI and 114 T20 runs that include 10 centuries, 21 fifties, 513 fours and 24 sixes. As a fielder, he has 41 catches to his credit.
The ICC World Cup 2011 is the second tournament of Tharanga’s career. He seems to be in great form and spirit that will help him out in compensating his pathetic performance in the previous World Cup. He is committed to shine this time and take his team
to the peak of success.
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