Kandamby is a cricketer who has not fulfilled the promise he showed as a schoolboy at Ananda College, one of the country's leading Buddhist institutions. He holds the highest individual score of 144 in the traditional match against Nalanda made in 1999. The following year was his best, aggregating 940 runs from 12 matches and was selected captain of the Sri Lanka Under-19 side to tour Australia where he won the Man-of-the-Series award with some sterling contributions. Graduating to the Sri Lanka A side, he toured India and hit five half-centuries which saw him being selected for the Sri Lanka team's tour to New Zealand. He was picked for Sri Lanka's tour to Zimbabwe in 2004 but a lack of consistency meant he was dropped after just four ODI appearances.

He is the first to admit that he did not completely grab the opportunities that came his way. In an attempt to win back his place, he took over the captaincy of Bloomfield in 2004 and thrice scored ninety in the Premier league. In 2005-06, he won the Premier limited overs Man-of-the-Tournament award. Under the guidance of former Sri Lankan opening batsman, Chandika Hathurusingha, he feels he stands a chance of winning the spot vacated by the retirement of Russel Arnold in 2007. His hopes of a recall received a boost a year later when he was among the probables for the Champions Trophy.

Sa'adi Thawfeeq (July 9, 2009)

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Jul 18, 2008 Thilina Kandamby drives during his half-century © AFP

Nov 21, 2007 Thilina Kandamby drives during his century © AFP

Sep 8, 2004 Thilina Kandamby © Cricinfo Ltd

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