EVERY journey begins with a single step – and rising Saltires cricket star Sean Weeraratna is hoping that his first-ever wicket on home soil against English county opposition will quickly help achieve a goal of a full-time contract.
Sifting through the Saltires' latest citylets Grange defeat, by Durham Dynamos on Sunday, one of the main comforts for home fans was 22-year-old Weeraratna bowling a full ten-over stint for the first time at this level.
Not only that, but the man
with three previous competition appearances – he has been capped eight times in total – crowned a skilful and determined display with the wicket of Callum Thorp towards the end of the innings.
And so far as Weeraratna, pictured, is concerned that offered hard evidence of progress.
"I'm dedicating this summer to getting as much cricket as possible," he says, "which will hopefully mean county trials after I write some letters asking for an opportunity.
"The more games I get under my belt for the Saltires the better my chances of playing day-in, day-out in England.
"I really wanted that wicket to show for my efforts. It's good to get one under my belt (at home)."
Weeraratna's remarks must be set against a background of young Scots looking to boost full-time prospects that are unavailable north of the border; ideally they will then return as often as possible to aid the national cause. Others have taken the same route and the Edinburgh raised and educated Weeraratna, who now represents Greenock in the Lloyds TSB Premiership, has set his targets knowing he is at the top of his game.
Compared with when he appeared four times for Saltires against county opposition in 2005, Weeraratna completed a full bowling stint – his previous biggest contribution was five overs – and the improved economy and penetration he attributes to a winter spent in the Brisbane Leagues.
"It was the first time I'd gone to Brisbane's Valley Club and I was part of the side which won the second grade championship.
"I topped the club averages while finishing third in the league and on a couple of starts at first grade I found the standard to be so high as to give hope of troubling English county opposition.
"I've returned feeling I am now hitting the spots I really want to hit.
"In ten overs I bowled two bad balls against Durham but, of course, there is a lesson there for me because both were struck for boundaries. That's a reminder of what I have to do but this time round I feel more comfortable with my line and accuracy. In 2005 I wasn't quite ready, I felt."
With the other Scottish bowlers faring well Durham found themselves restricted to 181-9 from 50 overs only for the batting to prove fragile as the Duckworth/Lewis method of calculating weather-affected results brought a 46 run defeat, the hosts standing on 52-5 from 17 overs when bad light intervened.
Weeraratna, who opened the innings for Greenock a day earlier, had still to get to the crease but clearly has aspirations to make an all-round contribution.
"I was looking forward to facing (England pace star) Steve Harmison but it wasn't to be. The bowlers did a job and the batsmen need to step up with shot selection the big thing."
Now it remains to be seen if Weeraratna, called into the side less than 24 hours earlier, has done enough to retain his place at a time when Gordon Drummond is still battling a hamstring strain with Yorkshire visiting citylets Grange this Sunday.
Whatever happens the Sri Lankan-born former Heriot's ace is determined to grab every opportunity as he seeks a career in the sport that has seen him appear in two under-19 World Cups.
The full article contains 647 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
