We were one family in 1996: Tillakaratne
Hashan Tillakaratne is not a name that readily comes to mind when naming Sri Lanka’s best batsmen in their 36 years of top-flight cricket, but the stylish left-hander was an integral part of Sri Lanka’s growth into a formidable force from the newest Test team in 1982 to World Cup Champions in 1996. Coming into the ODI side in 1986, Tillakaratne was a busy middle order batsman who scored 3789 runs in 200 matches, but it was in Test cricket where his class truly shone through. In 83 matches after making his debut in 1986 Tillakaratne, who also captained Sri Lanka in 11 Tests, averaged 42.87 and scored 11 Test centuries, five of which were in away matches -- an especially important contribution at a time when Sri Lanka were still learning the ropes in Test cricket.
He is now a batting coach in Sri Lanka’s High Performance Centre, and while the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo was readying itself for the India-Bangladesh Nidahas Trophy match on Wednesday, Tillakaratne was watching a match between the Colombo Cricket Club (CCC) and Nondescripts Cricket Club at the CCC ground in another part of the city. The Daily Star’s Mazhar Uddin caught up with him there and talked about the 1996 World Cup win, Sri Lanka’s and Bangladesh’s growth and his continuing desire to coach Bangladesh, among other things.
The following are excerpts from the exclusive interview:
The Daily Star [TDS]: What have you been up to recently?
Hashan Tillakaratne [HS]: I am working as one of the batting coaches with Sri Lanka Cricket. I am enjoying working with the boys and it’s my duty to give something back to Sri Lankan cricket as it has given me a lot. I have done my level 2 and level 3 [ICC coaching programmes] and they helped me and now I am a qualified coach. Right now, I am working at the high performance centre as one of the batting coaches and enjoying my time.
TDS: You were the first Sri Lanka batsman to score a hundred in South Africa [in 2002]. What would be your suggestion for subcontinental batsmen to be successful there?
HS: We had been to South Africa a couple of times before and we knew the conditions would be difficult. I did my homework really well and I wanted to improve my batting on the back foot. And it worked really well for me. All the subcontinental sides have struggled in South Africa and you have to work on your weaknesses. You need to improve your skill and strong points as you have all the facilities at home, but it depends on the individual.
TDS: What was the transformation for Sri Lanka from your debut in 1986 to the World Cup win in 1996? What can Bangladesh learn from that?
HS: Before 1996 most of the guys played together for seven-eight years; we knew our strengths and weaknesses and we were one family. And luckily, conditions helped us during the 1996 World Cup and the teamwork was fantastic. It was a long way from when I started in 1986 to the 1996 World Cup. As a team we were not concerned about anything other than playing for Sri Lanka.
TDS: How important is the role of a coach, or is it mostly down to the players ?
HS: I think it’s a mixture. I can remember when Dave Whatmore came to Sri Lanka in 1995. I can remember when he brought Alex [Kontouri], the physio at that time. We were not accustomed to gym work and diet control in those days, but he was very strict and specific about our fitness and we became fitter after that.
TDS: Were you approached by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for the post of batting coach recently?
HS: Not really, but I have applied for the post as I want to get some experience and just finished my level 2 and 3. I have played in Bangladesh before in 1989 for Brothers Union and then I played for Mohammedan in 2000-2001. I think Bangladesh have come a long way and they have some skilful players. It’s good to see them playing well.
TDS: Are you interested in working in Bangladesh?
HS: Oh yes, of course I am very much interested. Whatever role I get I will be happy to work with the Bangladesh team, be it as a batting coach or any other role.
TDS: What is your style of coaching?
HS: It depends on what age group you get; it’s different with the under-19s and juniors and it’s different with the seniors. I want to be a blue coach rather than a red coach. When you are in the under-19s you need to be a red coach, so it differs.
TDS: How do you see the changes in modern-day cricket?
HS: I think adaptability is very important in modern-day cricket. It’s important to keep yourself prepared for whatever is coming at you. There are franchise leagues, so it’s difficult to keep up the fitness throughout the year and I can’t see players playing all three formats regularly. The physical level has gone up and it’s up to the players as there is a high chance of getting injured, but I think players are ready for it and we have to move with the times.
TDS: BCB is looking for a coach of the same mentality as Chandika Hathurusingha after he resigned...
HS: I think as an outsider I can see that Hathurusingha has given a lot to Bangladesh cricket. But what I can say is if you get someone from the same cultural background that might help Bangladesh cricket to go forward.
TDS: Do the 1996 World Cup winning squad meet often or have reunions?
HS: Yes, we meet and even last year we played a charity game where all the players of the 1996 squad were there. We meet quite often as Colombo is a small place and we meet quite often on birthdays, weddings and also, the 22nd anniversary is coming on the 18th of March. It’s nice to see we all are getting older and our children have grown up.
TDS: Your two sons are playing first-class cricket in Sri Lanka...
HS: Yes, my twins are playing first-class cricket and both have represented the Sri Lanka under-19 side. Because I am the cricket secretary of the NCC I have told them to play outside. When they are at home I teach them but when they come here all these guys are sons to me. They must learn the hard way.