Thursday 21st April, 2011 Country before Duleep questions Malinga’s commitment BY REX CLEMENTINE Money says Dilshan Fast bowler ’s commit- ment to Sri Lankan was ques- BY REX CLEMENTINE year-old said that national duty should Dilshan struggled for several years to tioned by Chairman of Cricket Selectors take precedence over all else. cement his place in the side as a middle yesterday when the latter Newly appointed Sri Lankan cricket “We have been informed that we need order batsman. In 2009, he volunteered said it was ‘awkward’ for a player to say Tillakaratne Dilshan looked a to be back by the 5th of May. That’s a to open the innings for the team and that he’s unfit to represent , but con- changed man when he made his maiden good decision on part of cricket and brought a remarkable turn around for tinue to play in the lucrative Indian appearance as national skipper at Sri we’ll be back by that date,” Dilshan who his career. Dilshan finished the 2011 ICC Premier League (IPL). Lanka Cricket headquarters yesterday. was appointed as the 11th full time Sri as the highest Malinga (27) had informed the board He had removed the ear-ring, there was Lankan captain told journalists in getter in the competition. “It’s a great not to consider him for the Test series no colouring of the hair or trimming of Colombo yesterday. pride to become the captain of the against ; however, he continues to the beard and more importantly when “We are contracted with Sri Lanka national team. I have worked hard to get represent Indians in the IPL. “It asked whether he has any reservations Cricket and whatever the decision the to this stage and I am pleased with what looks awkward when someone says he’s in returning home midway through the Cricket Board takes we have to abide by I have done,” he said. injured, but continues to play cricket. (IPL) to prepare that,” Dilshan added. “I didn’t expect to captain the side That’s why we thought to write to him for Sri Lanka’s tour of England, the 34- Having made his Test debut in 1999, earlier on. My only desire was to play for and ask him to go through rehabilitation. Sri Lanka as much as possible, but We’ll have to see what he does next and towards the end I realized that I could then decide on the next step,” Mendis told become the captain. But I wasn’t desper- journalists yesterday. ate to become captain. Now that I have “We are going to tell him that he has become captain I am looking forward to to come back immediately and do the lead the side in a good way,” he added. rehabilitation work to get ready for crick- “I started my cricket at et in Sri Lanka if he’s interested in play- Vidyalaya. At this moment I would like ing for the country again,” Mendis, coun- to remember my parents, my wife, try’s second Test captain said. Chairman of Selectors Duleep Mendis coaches, the media and the public who Following the retirement of Muttiah addresses the media flanked by newly have stood by me. There are numerous Muralitharan and the unavailability of appointed captain Tillakaratne Dilshan. others too, but there’s no time for me to Malinga, fast bowler is spell out each and everyone’s name. I the most experienced Sri Lankan bowler Pic by Dimuthu Premaratne. hope they will continue to support me,” on tour making the Sri Lankan attack one injuries. We will wait and see whether Dilshan further said. of the least experienced in world cricket. these players will get fit and join the tour Dilshan will lead a young side to The selectors also didn’t name a vice- party later. But at the moment we have England where the team will play three captain due to injuries to possible candi- spoken to Kumar and if something hap- Tests and five ODIs. Although there’s no dates. “We are not in a position to appoint pens to Dilshan on the field and if he has or Lasith Malinga a person for the post of vice-captaincy to leave the field then Kumar will take in the Test squad, he expected the young immediately because there are so many over as captain.” side will take up the challenge. “I have been given a good team. With that team I want to do well in the Test and ODI series. We have done well in recent times Selectors call Thirimanna and Chandimal for three Test series and we want to continue in the same manner. I have two former captains in the team and I am so fortunate. I want to No Malinga, Mathews take Sri Lankan cricket forward. I would like to take up challenges and this is a good challenge for me,” Dilshan added. in Test squad He was also asked why he had opted to pierce his ears and dye his hair a few BY REX CLEMENTINE years back. “I have to tell you that at the The selectors have named uncapped traditional ceremony to pierce the ear Fast bowler Lasith Malinga and all- batsmen Lahiru Thirimanna and Dinesh lobs of my eldest daughter she started rounder were not includ- Chandimal in the side. crying. I thought I will pierce my ears as ed in the 16 member Sri Lankan squad In the 16 member squad, seven players well (to take the pain). I have taken that announced to tour England for the three are currently in playing the IPL and off now. The dying of the hair was prob- match Test series against the Ashes win- will have to return home by May 5 to start ably fashion and now I have stopped ning side. While all-rounder Angelo training for the series. dying the hair.” Mathews is ruled out with an injury, Sri Lanka leave for England on May 10 He also expected the Ashes winning Malinga had indicated that he’s not avail- and after two warm-up games, they will English team to be a tough opponent this able for selection due to injury. play three Tests. The first Test starts on summer. The last time Sri Lanka played Sri Lanka’s attack is one of the May 26 at Cardiff followed by the sec- a series in England they squared the the weakest they have put out in recent ond Test at Lord’s on the June 3. The third three Test series 1-1 and won the ODIs 5- times with off-spinner Muttiah and final Test takes place from June 16 at 0. “Early summer will be tough and Muralitharan too retired. Misfiring fast Southampton. England have just won the Ashes, but if bowler Dilhara Fernando is the most The Sri Lankans will also play a T-20 we believe in ourselves and be commit- experienced in the squad of 16 with 35 International and five ODIs during the ted then the results will follow.” Test appearances behind his name. tour. The ODI squad will be named after Dilshan also welcomed the appoint- Left-arm fast bowler Chanaka the Test series. ment of his former captain Marvan Welagedara along with Nuwan Pradeep Sri Lanka squad: Tillakaratne Atapattu as the Coach of the and are the other fast Dilshan (Captain), Tharanga side. “He’s one of the best batsmen Sri bowlers in the squad. Pradeep, yet to Paranavitana, , Kumar Lanka has produced. I have lot of make his debut, is currently in India rep- Sangakkara, , Thilan Newly appointed Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan leaves headquar- respect for him. He’s done extremely resenting Bangalore in the Indian Samaraweera, , ters after addressing the media yesterday. Dilshan was flown down to Colombo from India well and having him is a big advantage. Premier League. Prasanna Jayawardene (Wicketkeeper), where he was playing the Indian Premier League tournament to select the side to England He’s not only one of the batting greats, The absence of seam bowler Nuwan , , Ajantha and he headed back to India yesterday evening itself to play the remainder of the tourna- but a former captain too and I am sure Kulaseakara, who did well in Sri Lanka’s Mendis, , Dilhara ment. Pic by Dimuthu Premaratne. he will have lot to offer,” Dilshan said. last Test tour to England in 2006 is a sur- Fernando, Chanaka Welagedara, Suranga prise. Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep SLC didn’t give May 20 Scottish Premier League Nadal advances with manager Lennon sent dominating win in Barcelona deadline for IPL players parcel bomb BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Rafael “I think I began a little more nervous Nadal opened his bid for a sixth than usual, but that is logical since it is Celtic Football Club manager Neil Barcelona Open title with a dominant 6-1, the first match,” Ferrer said. Sri Lanka Cricket yes- to play till May 20. Lennon and two other well-known 6-1 win over Daniel Gimeno-Traver on “Fortunately I was able to handle it and I terday said that while pro- In a recent interview fans have been targeted by “viable’’ Wednesday. hope to do better tomorrow.” viding the country’s Indian with NDTV, champion off- parcel bombs designed to “kill or The top-ranked Nadal hammered his In the second set, Ferrer also saved the Premier League bound play- spinner Muttiah maim’’, Scottish police have said. fellow Spaniard with hard groundstrokes, only two break points he faced while ers with No Objection Muralitharan had claimed The package addressed to Lennon cruising to victory after breaking breaking twice for an easy win on the Certificates (NOC) they did- that players had been freed was thought to be a hoax when found Gimeno-Traver’s first two service games. outdoor clay court. at a sorting office on March 26, but n’t specify that they could to play till the May 20. Nadal, who sat out last year’s event The 2001 champion Juan Carlos Strathclyde Police said they would after winning five straight titles from Ferrero downed lucky loser Mischa continue to play the Indian Asked whether the deci- launch an investigation after it was 2005 to 2009, will face Santiago Giraldo of Zverev, who took the place of the injured domestic tournament till sion of the board to recall found to be “designed to cause harm.” Colombia in the third round of the out- Andy Murray, 6-4, 7-5. May 20. Sri Lankan players midway Police said they did not believe the door clay court event. The former No. 1 hit three aces in his Addressing the media at through the IPL to prepare bombs were linked to terrorist organi- Earlier, fourth-seeded David Ferrer second match since returning to the SLC headquarters yester- for the tour of England sations. made quick work of Carlos Berlocq to court after undergoing wrist and knee The two other targets were Scottish day, Interim Committee would put them on a colli- win 6-2, 6-2, and will meet Victor surgery in October. Labour politician Trish Godman and Secretary Nishantha sion course with the Board Hanescu, after the Romanian player beat “I was a little worse physically due to Nishantha Ranatunga lawyer Paul McBride, who has previ- 14th-seeded Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-4. being tired from yesterday, but I held up Ranatunga said that no of Control for Cricket in ously represented Lennon. Two-time finalist Ferrer saved two well and came out with the win,” said objection certificates had been provid- India (BCCI), Ranatunga said that “They were viable devices designed break points to hold his serve in the third Ferrero, who will play Simone Vagnozzi ed to the players, but the board had BCCI would understand Sri Lanka’s to cause harm,’’ a police spokesman game, while Berlocq struggled with his in the next round after the Italian not told them that they could continue situation. (RC) said. ``We are treating the matter very serve throughout the first set, commit- bounced the 16th-seeded Juan Monaco 6- seriously.’’ ting four double faults. 3, 6-2.

Thursday 21st April, 2011