Champaka Priyadarshana Hewage Ramanayake, hailing from the beautiful island nation of Sri Lanka, was a cricket player known for his wholehearted performances and unwavering determination on the field. As Sri Lanka struggled to establish a formidable pace bowling threat, Ramanayake stepped up to bear the brunt of the work.
Born on May 11, 1965, in Colombo, Ramanayake was a genuine medium pacer who lacked the raw pace needed to be a consistent wicket-taking threat at the Test level. However, his commitment to the game and tireless efforts on the field allowed him to check the batsmen’s progress and restrict their scoring rather than dismissing them.
Ramanayake made his Test debut against Australia in Perth, but unfortunately went wicketless in that match. However, he showcased his bowling prowess in the following series against England, claiming his first Test wicket by dismissing Phil Newport. It was during Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand in 1989-90 that Ramanayake truly shone, providing solid support for Labrooy and Ratnayake as he took 11 wickets in the three-match series.
The pinnacle of Ramanayake’s career came in the home series against Australia in 1992, where he spearheaded the bowling attack and took a remarkable 17 wickets in just three Tests. His best performance came at Moratuwa, where he achieved figures of 5 for 82. Partnering with newcomer Duleep Liyanage, Ramanayake troubled the Australian top order with his movement and swing, earning well-deserved recognition for his perseverance and hard work under challenging conditions.
Despite his noteworthy performances, Ramanayake’s subsequent international career was characterized by toiling against Test batsmen as a support bowler. However, in the one-day format, his style of steady line and length proved to be an effective weapon. His ability to control the run rate made him a permanent fixture in the limited-overs squad.
After playing his final Test in 1993, Ramanayake continued to represent Sri Lanka in one-day matches before eventually fading away from the international scene. A stellar domestic season leading up to the 1995-96 tour of Australia once again placed him in contention for national selection. However, the selectors opted for younger talents, none of whom performed as well as Ramanayake could have.
Not one to stray far from the cricketing world, Ramanayake took on coaching roles following his playing career. With qualifications as a Level I coach in England and a Level II coach in Australia, he served as the head of Sri Lanka’s Fast Bowling Academy for seven years. During his tenure, he groomed several promising fast bowlers who went on to represent the country with distinction. In March 2008, Ramanayake further expanded his coaching horizons and was appointed as Bangladesh’s fast bowling coach.
Champaka Priyadarshana Hewage Ramanayake’s journey as a cricketer exemplified determination, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the sport. Although he may not have achieved widespread stardom, his contributions to the game and subsequent coaching roles have left an indelible mark on Sri Lankan cricket. His legacy lives on in the bowlers he has groomed and the impact he continues to make in the world of cricket.
