Too much cricket is no problem for me

– Dilshan

By Desmond Samith

Tillakaratne Dilshan was easily the most valuable Sri Lankan cricketer last year - having re-invented his game as an opener in all three formats. In January 2010 he caught a plane from Bangladesh to India and
then to New Zealand. From there he boarded a private jet and arrived at a ground in a helicopter less than 45 minutes before a New Zealand’s domestic Twenty20 tournament match for his team Northern Districts Knights.
Then after a couple of matches he came back to Sri Lanka; played for his firm Unichela; hit a century in a Mercantile Cricket League semifinal and fractured his thumb in the process. Today he is sitting out the inter-provincial matches where he captains Basnahira South.
LAKBIMAnEWS caught up with the dashing opener.

You were the only cricketer after Sir Richard Hadlee to arrive at a ground for a match in a chopper. You must be pleased for the opportunity you got to play in the New Zealand domestic tournament. But today you are unable to hold a bat.

I was not injured while in New Zealand. I fractured my right thumb during the Mercantile tournament. I think I’ll have to rest at least three weeks.
In the recent past you got injured time and again. You had a finger injury, then a groin injury, and now again you have fractured your thumb. Is too much cricket causing all these injuries?
I don’t think so. When you break your finger you can’t say it’s because you play too much cricket. When you play cricket you may get injured. That’s natural, but it’s unfortunate to pick all the injuries. However as players we want to play more matches. Nobody likes to sit out the matches. Too much cricket is not a problem for me. I work hard on my fitness and am ready to play for the country any time.

How do you look at your performance in the last year?

For me 2009 is an unforgettable year. I scored 1000 runs each in Tests and ODIs; hit ten centuries. I also became the best player in the Twenty20 World Cup - and ICC’s T20 cricketer of the year.
(In 2009 Dilshan scored 1097 runs in 11 Tests at an average of 64.52 with six centuries, and 1000 ODI runs in 19 matches at 55.55 with four centuries)

Obviously the decision to send you up the order has worked well for you and Sri Lanka. Your comments?

I decided to open the innings after playing in the middle order, at number 6, and it has worked well for me. In the middle order I was getting 30s and 40s other than saving some runs in the field. When I talked to Mahela (then captain) he agreed to make me an opener. I can say it was one of the best decisions I have taken in my life. First I opened in a club match (for Bloomfield) and scored 188 against Colts.

Did you change your game when you became an opener?

No, I didn’t change my game. Even at number 6 I was playing my shots; but in the opener’s position my natural game came good. When field restrictions are on (in ODIs) I can reach the boundary easily. And my knocks there captured the attention of the people.

Was the switch in batting position only reason for your revival? You had got married again and become a father. Didn’t all that help your game?

Sure they did. My wife helps me and creates the right atmosphere for me to focus on cricket.

What about 2010?

In this year too I hope to do well for the country. I started well with a century against Bangladesh before getting injured. Now the focus is on the Twenty20 World Cup in April-May in the West Indies.
How was it when you opened the innings with Sanath Jayasuriya?
I was fortunate to open the innings with a player like Sanath. It was special as Sanath is a world famous player who has played over 400 ODIs. I learned a lot from him.

Now you are opening with Upul Tharanga. How do you rate Tharanga?

He is a good player. He is young and he is ready to learn. I’m sure he will do well for the country.

People say you two are not on speaking terms. And that may affect your batting, and Sri Lanka’s chances.

I have no issue with Upul. And I have no problem in opening the innings with him.