Lankan has right stuff, says coach
UNIVERSITY coach Ben Harrison has no doubt Nuwan Kavinda has the ability to succeed at a higher lever — all he needs is an opportunity to show his class.
The former Sri Lankan underage representative crossed to the Lions from Glenorchy in the CTPL off-season and has started the 2019-20 campaign in solid touch with three half centuries from his first four trips to the crease.
Today the 27-year-old has a golden chance to enhance his claims for a spot in Tasmania’s Futures League team when he resumes on 56 against New Town at University Oval.
The hosts are 3-130 in pursuit of 199, with Nick Grubb (30 not out) at the crease after Tom Pybus (3-33) produced a blistering opening spell in the final session last Saturday.
Kavinda, who has a firstclass century in his home country after playing 18 matches for Sinhalese Sports Club, moved to Tasmania last year following several in Melbourne.
Harrison believes the hard work Kavinda is putting in to improve his game is starting to reap the rewards, and he hopes Tigers selectors are watching.
“He just needs to be given the opportunities and if he gets looked at from what his outputs are in grade cricket at the moment, he has represented his country at underage level, I don’t see why he couldn’t go on to represent his state and who knows from there,” Harrison said. “I think he is averaging 60 this season and he has just been given the opportunities he’s needed to show his wares. He is a lovely young man and things are starting to go right for him, career and his cricket.
“To get some outcomes like that [second XI selection] would top it off for him because he works so hard at his game, does all the extras, and he’s starting to reap the rewards.”
North Hobart is facing a hefty run chase at the Twin Ovals after a Jason Shelton century last week (107) helped lift Kingborough to 8-355.
Greater Northern opener Brodie Hayes also compiled a century last week, carrying his bat through the day (108 not out) against ladder leader Lindisfarne at the NTCA as the Raiders reached 5-214 from 99 overs on a slow scoring afternoon, while Clarence made it to stumps at 4-297 against Glenorchy courtesy of Harry Allanby’s 110.