Australia’s newest batting sensation Ashley Chandrasinghe stole the headlines last weekend after making a century on his first-class debut for Victoria.
The 20-year-old’s score of 119 not out against Tasmania was impressive enough, but even more so given it came off a patient 333 deliveries against the likes of Peter Siddle and Jackson Bird.
With his fluid left-handed style lending itself to red-ball cricket, Chandrasinghe says he’s tried to mould his game on two of the game’s greats.
“I’ve definitely tried to mould and model myself off probably two players, Mike Hussey and Kumar Sangakkara,” Chandrasinghe said on SEN Sportsday.
“The way they go about their batting, their technique and the way they look is just first-class.
“That’s the way I’d like to play when I’m batting.”
While Chandrasinghe is certainly young in earning a Sheffield Shield debut, his journey to first-class cricket wasn’t that of a normal prodigy.
The left-hander failed to stand out in any of Victoria’s underage state teams but began to make a name for himself with Casey-South Melbourne in Premier Cricket after catching eyes with a 669-run season as a teenager.
Along with his Premier Cricket form, Chandrasinghe was able to advance his skills by playing winter seasons in Darwin with Waratah Cricket Club, something he feels was great for his game.
“The idea to go to Darwin stemmed from my Dad and a guy he knew over there Udara Weerasinghe who is the club coach of Waratah Cricket Club where I spent my time,” Chandrasinghe said.
“Initially it was probably Dad’s sort of suggestion and me just going with it … but I’m so grateful to have spent some time there, it was some of the best times I’ve had both on and off the cricket field.
“I felt like I learned so much about myself and my game especially.”
Chandrasinghe earned his way onto Victoria’s contract list after scoring 423 runs at 84.60 for the state’s second XI in 2021/22.
Victoria will hope Chandrasinghe continues his flying form when they take on Queensland in the Sheffield Shield from next Thursday at Allan Border Field.