Nishan Madushka is a promising young cricketer that Sri Lanka produced recently. Most people did not know who Nishan Madushka was until he scored a double century in a first class cricket match in England.
The Youth Observer met him recently to discuss his greatest innings.
“Í was elated when I heard that I had broken Aravinda de Silva’s record, who is considered as one of the greatest batsmen in our country,” Madushka said.
The promising young cricketer stole the limelight in the ongoing Sri Lanka Emerging cricket team’s tour of England when he scored a remarkable 269 in 496 balls with 37 fours and 2 sixes with a strike rate of 68.62.
He came to the middle as a number three batsman occupying the crease for 496 minutes (nearly eight and half hours ) to build up his marathon innings which is his career best first class knock as well as first first-class double century.
The opener of the Emerging team Lasith Croosepulle (136) and Nishan Madushka (269) added 294 runs for the second wicket breaking the record for the highest partnership by a Sri Lankan duo on English soil previously held by Sri Lankan master batter Aravinda de Silva and master blaster Sanath Jayasuriya (a 243-run stand).
In form
Madushka, who also kept wickets for 137 overs, was in fine form as he finished with 269, breaking a 27-year-old record held by the legendary Aravinda De Silva for the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan on English soil in first-class cricket.
Aravinda de Silva scored 255 against Kent 27 years ago and young Maushaka was able to break this record with his marathon knock. He is the wicket keeper of the side having kept wickets during the first day of this Kent game then came to bat after departure of skipper Nipun Dhananjaya in the fifth over of the innings
A product of Moratu Maha Vidyalaya, the 22-year-old right hand wicket keeper Madushka’s performance was remarkable and he has showed his potential very well on English soil, said his Moratuwa MV coach Prasanna Dissnanayake who was also the Moratu MV under 19 cricket captain in 1985.
“I am very happy about young Madushka’s performance. He has good skills and from the under 13 team I was lucky to guide him as a coach. Madushka captained Moratu MV in all age categories under 13, 15, 17 and under-19 and he got a chance to play five years in a row in the under-19 team.
“As an under-15 player he was able to represent the College first XI team and he got good exposure from the beginning,” said coach Dissnayake who is presently the coach of Lyceum International.
“I had the privilege of guiding Madushka from the beginning. He always maintained a high intellect as well as kept his fitness level to continue this sport. He is not from a rich family. His younger brotherIsuru Fernando plays for the Moratu MV under-15 side”.
Madushka was lucky to represent the National under-19 team and after leaving school began playing for Ragama CC in the domestic tournaments and also played for Jaffna side during the National Super League cricket tournament recently.
“He always tried to stay a long time at the crease. If he stays more than one hour at the wicket he could easily go for a hundred. Madushka was always very close to me and even today he called and chatted with me. Before this England tour, Madushka came to my home and got my blessings. He is a dedicated cricketer. He is a silent character but his dedication is very high and his vision is to enter the National team,” said Dissanayake.
Meanwhile, the present Moratu MV cricket coach Chandana Mahesh who himself was a former cricketer of the school and a Sri Lanka ‘A’ team player said, Madushka is a real quality stroke maker. He couldn’t maintain consistent batting recently but now he is getting better and showing his potential.
Regular chats
Mahesh who was a talented right hander said, Maduishka is developing his skills gradually and his dedication is always very high. As a cricket umpire and present match referee of SLC Mahesh has more opportunity to observe Madushka’s talent.
“I personally chat with this player and always encourage him to go forward and give advice to play long innings. He is showing a big improvement and our college OBA, Principal and staff are really supportive of all players at this stage. Former Moratu MV cricketers (late) Sarath Fernando, (late) Lucky Rogers Fernando and Ajantha Mendis represented the National team and Sri Lanka ‘A’ while I too played for the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team. I am sure Madushka is going to be Moratu MVs next National player. I have to give all credit to school coach Prasanna Dissanayake who played under me in the college first X1 team to produce this type of cricketer,” said Mahesh.
Madushka speaking about his career path said, ‘’In my first match at inter-club level I class scored 46 (v Burgher Recreation Club). Then in the following match I got my maiden half-century - 67 against Nondescripts Cricket Club. I moved to Police Sports Club, scoring 70 on debut against the Navy, before concluding the 2018/19 season. Then I scored my maiden century - 143 v Kurunegala Youth.
“The next season 2019/2020 I moved to Ragama SC and I hit centuries against Tamil Union (169) and Lankan (154) among the 444 runs I scored at an average of 63.42. I also finished second in the T20 run charts with 322 runs with an average of 64.60 in January 2020.
“Last summer, in the absence of first-class cricket due to Covid, I continued to score runs in white-ball cricket, hitting 304 runs, an average of 38 (List A), and 159 runs, an average of 22.71 (T20),’’ he said.
“I am happy that I was able to show my talent on English soil. I hope to play for the national team one day and put the country on the top of the world in cricket, Madushka said.
Nishan Madushka Fernando won the Best Batsman’s award at 41st Mobitel-Sunday Observer School Cricketer awards a few years ago.