In recent years, Sri Lanka have blessed with many allrounders. They have had Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, sachith Pathirana, Sehan Jayasuriya and Dasun Shanaka and all they have 
the capability to win matches with bat and ball.
And here, another allrounder is making big strides in school cricket. Charana Nanayakkara of prestigious Thurstan College, a hard hitting middle order batsman and right arm medium fast bowler, has been a revolution in Sri Lanka school cricket in last one year.
Just yesterday, he showed his immense potential as a all-rounder, as he smashed 67 runs and took 6 wickets for 27 runs in the same match, against arch rival St. Joseph College. In October last year, he single handedly rocked the batting line up of the same opposition, as he bagged 8 wickets for only 15 runs. the witnesses of that match claimed that it was one of the best swing bowling spell in the history of Sri Lanka school cricket. These performances shows that if handled properly, he can be the next generation premier all-rounder.
He inherits cricket. Interestingly, his father also captained the Thurstan college in 1989. So there is no surprise, that, at the age of 7, his father took him to NCC cricket academy, and that’s where the journey started.
Allthough, his school record suggest he is equally gifted in both batting and bowling, he considered himself as a batting allrounder. ” I loves batting more and I can play all the innovative shots like- reverse sweeps, switch hits and paddle sweeps” he says.
Naturally, he loves the shorter formats of the game more. ” once I finish my school career, my dream is to play for the Sri Lanka in ODI and Twenty-20 cricket. And I am sure, with my batting and bowling, I can be a good asset” he talks about his liking and strength.
But, he has something more to offer. Throughout his school career so far, he has been considered as a leader. He captained his college in the U15, U17 and U19 and his coaches belives he has all the qualities of a good captain.
Though, all these are for the future. right now, he has some goals for the remider of his school days. ” I want to win the best alleounder award of this year and with my performance so far, I think I can achieve my goal”.
Between all these, he doesn’t forget to remember all those, who played a part in his cricket. ” I want to say thanks to my mother, father, brother and all the coaches. Without them, I could not come so far” he concludes.
