My main aim is to develop youngsters – Dilip Somaratne
View(s):Dilip Somaratne, a former Royal College cricketer and an Australian Grade II coach assumed duties as the Director of the NCC School of Cricket to fill the void created upon the demise of veteran coach Lionel Mendis. Having played and coached in Australia and on his return to the island Dilip coached colleges St. Peter’s and Royal before assuming this appointment.
Dilip spoke to the Sunday Times of the importance of being a coach at school where hundreds of young boys turn up for practice constantly. The main objective of the school is to develop these youngsters and groom them to be potential Sri Lanka players. To achieve this target the young ones should play in the longer version. This provides the opportunity for the boys to reach a level of competition in making a game, go for an outright win, making a bold declaration and giving the opposition to go for runs and make the game interesting. The main duty of the coaches will be to encourage the boys to get used to play in the longer version of the game.
He further said the NCC School of Cricket, the cradle of cricket with a good reputation of having provided top class national and international players have a set plan in conducting the classes. Somaratne paid a glowing tribute to the late Lionel Mendis as a strict disciplinarian and his instructions and plans will be carried forward in discipline, value, culture and behaviour. In the school there are students who are playing and some who are beginners and some who are too young – a combination of various levels.
First they go through an interview process and graded into the appropriate levels they belong. Starting with the basics of the game and then go for batting, bowling and fielding practices and make sure the basics in technique are followed. The coaches are there to spot talent and encourage the players to play to their abilities. Later they play matches to improve and enhance their skill.
At the NCC School the coaches never try to change techniques of an individual, be it in batting or bowling. Somaratne quoted a saying by Sir Garfield Sobers as an example ‘if someone capable of pulling a ball from wide out of the off side to the leg with power, never try to correct him let him carry on that’s his talent’. Our coaches too follow the same and in the same time we take notice that the shots are selected and we are firm believers in natural talent.
When practising at the nets the Director went on say that they make the players feel that they are playing a match and instruct the bowlers to inform the batsman about his field placings so the batsman will have to select his shots and likewise the other bowlers and batsmen too practise with a set plan in mind. He also said that that a young cricketer will have to balance his time between studies and cricket and should be dedicated and should learn by watching and reading about top class world cricketers.
Dilip said that he sees a vast improvement of these youngsters and they are doing well in the ongoing Nelson Mendis Tournament which they are taking part after a long lay-off. The school intends to take part in competitive cricket in the future. Continuing Dilip said that he is a firm believer in creating an environment for the boys to practise naturally enjoying the game without fear. A boy should be able to communicate with the coach without fear and the coach also should address the boy without making him afraid and listen to him and take necessary action to give the boy’s mental satisfaction.
In conclusion Dilip said the dedication of the school towards the youngsters has borne fruit as every youngster who walks away after completing training steps into society as men of character and well disciplined cricketers.