The unsung hero of this year’s cricket season for St Peter’s College, the spin wizard from Bambalapitiya Taneesha Weerakoon tells us the story behind all the glory and success.
St Peter’s has been a humble servant of cricket in this nation, having produced wonderful cricketers who have done wonders wearing national colors. In the recent past, Peterite cricket has produced many good spinners. Sohan Boralessa, who took 10 wickets in an innings against Wesley College, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, who went all the way to represent Sri Lanka, Lakshan Rodrigo, who took 100 wickets bowling his right arm leg spin and Sahan Nanayakkara, who is knocking on the doors of national selection are some of them. Taneesha Werakoon who has played a big part in the success of St Peter’s College this season dropped by ThePapare.com to have a chat with us about his past and his future.
I call him the “X factor” purely because of what he brings to the table. Taneesha’s key to success is his variety. “I’m an off spinner but my variation has been the key to my success this season. I bowl the carom ball, the googly and the faster ball as well.”
Taneesha Heshan Weerakoon, at 19 years of age has caught the attention of many this year. He started this journey when he was 14 years of age. “I started off at St John’s College, Nugegoda. I played U13 and U15 at St John’s. I started off as a fast bowler in the early days but my coach at that time Mr Mohan Perera asked me to try a bit of off spin and it worked out well for me”
Taneesha played his junior cricket at St John’s College and he showed promise from the early days. Going from being a fast bowler to an off spinner would not have been an easy task but Taneesha pulled it off well. This transition took place when he was 14 years of age and within just a year he was able to represent their 1st XI team as a strike bowler. “I was given the opportunity to play in the 1st XI team. At that time we were playing Division II. In that season I managed to take 100 wickets and that was the turning point of my career. “
After reaching that milestone at such a young age, Taneesha was given the rare opportunity of representing the Colts Cricket Club in the U23 league in 2012/13 season under the captaincy of Chathuranga Kumara. This was a big break for this youngster. “I was given the chance to play one match at Colts U23 team in 2012/13 season. I managed to take 2 wickets for 43 runs in 17 overs with 2 maidens in that match against NCC. The team was captained by Chathuranga Kumara and I got the chance to play alongside old Peterite Julian De Zilva.”
Julian De Zilva, another fine product of St Peter’s College, identified the potential of this youngster and introduced him to Keerthi Gunaratne. “Julian aiya introduced me to Keerthi sir who was coaching the St Peter’s College 1st XI team at that time. Keerthi sir was impressed by me; he spoke to the administration of St Peter’s and they offered me a scholarship.”
He joined St Peter’s College in 2013. At 17 years of age he was making a name for himself amongst the top schools. He played his first season under the captaincy of Kavinda De Tissera. “In my first year playing 1st XI for St Peter’s I was able to take 35 wickets in 10 matches. At that time I was still working on my variations and with practice and time I was able to gain more control of the ball.”
Since then Taneesha has played a key role in the bowling department for the Peterites. In his second year he was able to put up a much better performance, taking 65 wickets in the season. He also had another memorable moment during the 2014/15 season. “One of the best moments of my career was the 2015 big match. In the first innings I was able to score 57 runs alongside Sachin Dalpathadu who scored a brilliant century. Add to that half century I was able to take 8 wickets in the match as well.”
However Taneesha played to his fullest potential this year with all the experience he gained during the previous years. It was a very long season this year with the changes which took place in the league. We witnessed quite a few batsman who reached four figures this season as well as a few bowlers who reached 100 wickets. Lasith Embuladeniya was the first to reach this milestone followed by the two Trinitians Duvindu Thilakaratne and Raveen Sayer. Taneesha is currently at 96 wickets (excluding the 10 wicket haul he took at the Battle of the Saints) but what makes him all the more special are his stats.
Matches – 17
Overs – 447
Maidens – 102
Runs – 1061
Wickets – 96
5’s – 7
Strike rate – 23.80
Average – 12.2
Best 27/7 against Nalanda
With an astounding average of just 12.2 runs per wicket and a brilliant strike rate of just 23.80 balls per wicket, Taneesha has led the Peterites to many victories this season. They have currently sealed the spot in the league final and they were crowned schools’ T20 champions a few weeks ago. “This season Vinu and I bowled in tandem. Vinu always trusted me to make vital breakthroughs and he always gave the ball to me whenever there was a new batsman at the crease.”
The Peterites not only reached two finals they also won their traditional big match and limited overs encounter against St Joseph’s College. Taneesha was named Man of the Match and Best bowler for his match winning performance of 10 for 114 in the former. “We came into the match with so much confidence. We knew we could win it if we played well. It was great to lift the trophy and to be adjudged as the Man of the Match was indeed a big deal for me.”
He was lucky enough to play 3 big matches for St Peter’s College and his wicket tally stands at 19, making him one of the highest wicket takers in Joe-Pete big matches.
With these kinds of performances Taneesha was pretty unfortunate not to be considered to play for the Sri Lanka U19 team. “I was never given the chance to trial for Sri Lanka U19s. I was not even called for a practice session, which was disappointing.”
His accuracy and strike rate was not given due recognition but this young man has kept his head high and he is looking forward to representing Sri Lanka in the future. “My first target was to take 100 wickets in a season, which I have achieved twice in my career so far. I would have loved to represent Sri Lanka U19s but unfortunately I wasn’t given a chance. After the school season is over I was asked to come and play for Ragama CC by my former coach Keerthi Gunaratne. So I’m looking forward to performing well and somehow getting selected to the A team. My ultimate goal is to play for Sri Lanka”
He did not fail to mention all the people who guided him throughout his career so far. “The support I get from my parents is immense. Also I need to thank Isuru Wickramaratne, a close relative of mine who helped me in various ways. They always back me up in whatever I do. My first coach at St John’s, Gamini Saparamdu, Nalanda Pushpakumara and Mohan Perera who helped me lay the foundation to my career. At St Peter’s College Keerthi Gunaratne, Malinda Warnapura and Kito Fernandopulle, who guided me to become a successful spinner in the School cricket arena. I also have to mention Nishantha Weerasinghe who gave me an opportunity to play at Colts CC.”
Taneesha is a prime example of how much talent and potential Sri Lanka has at its disposal. It remains to be seen if they are guided and nurtured to become national players who could help Sri Lanka to regain its lost glory. ThePapare.com would like to thank Taneesha Weerakoon for the time he spent speaking to us and wish him all the very best for his future endeavors.
