Dickwella determined to notch up his maiden century

Niroshan Dickwella

Sri Lanka’s dashing wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella is determined to end his long wait to pile up his maiden century, when the home team takes on England in their first game of the two- test series for the ICC Test Championship scheduled to begin on Thursday at the Galle Cricket Stadium.

The 27-year old Dickwella answering the media on a zoom discussion said that he has been making quick runs making half centuries but failed to convert those into a magnificent century. In his 70 innings in 39 test matches he was able to score 15 half centuries with a top score of 83 runs, after making his debut in 2014 against South Africa at SSC grounds. “Yes. I am worried about my form as I still haven’t scored a century for the country. I have been contributing scores less than 50 runs mostly but failed to build on from there.

Nevertheless, I am fully focused and determined to make this series as an opportunity to pile up my maiden century.” Said Dickwella.

He agreed that they had a poor series in South Africa where they travelled soon after the Lanka Premier League(LPL), which allowed them no time to gel and practice as a unit. But as professional players they could have performed better than what they did there. He believes that under different conditions at home the boys are in a better mindset and should turn tables, with the new look England side, which now is restricted to a single spinner, after Moeen Ali was sidelined after being diagnosed as Covid-19 positive.

The wickets at the Galle Cricket Stadium mostly favour the spinners than the seamers and the hosts have included four spinners in their ranks including the senior most player Dilruwan Perera, the highest wicket taker out of the whole lot along with left arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya, the in form Waninidu Hasaranga and Ramesh Mendis who is yet to make his test debut.

Dickwella elaborating on the team’s mental preparation after their dismal performance at the hands of Proteas said: “The South Africa series was yet another bad one for us. Unfortunately, most of our key players are injury prone which resulted in us suffering badly. But the upcoming home series is going to be contested under different conditions. Playing at home always has a better advantage for us.

We as a squad had some workouts with our coaching staff and spent time on rectifying our mistakes which I feel is a positive sign for the team.”

“We know that England's team has few experienced players from the side which toured in 2018. They also lost one of their key all-rounders Moeen Ali. But we will never take them lightly as they are capable of bouncing back at any given time. I am pretty confident all our players are fully pumped up and focused to give their best for the team and the country.” concluded Dickwella.

The Lankan camp is in a Bio-Bubble in Galle after their arrival in the country and all their PCR tests were negative. They had few training indoor sessions due to prevailing rainy weather conditions.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Dhananjya de Silva and fast bowler Kasun Rajitha have been released from the squad to receive with medical attention to their injuries.

Opening batsman Avishka Fernando also has been sidelined after he failed to pass the fitness test while Angelo Mathews, Roshen Silva, Nuwan Pradeep, Lakshan Sandkan and debutant Ramesh Silva have been added to the squad. As per the team sources Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Kumara have recovered from their injuries and are eligible for selection.

Santhush Gunathilake and Dilshan Madushanka too have been released from the original squad which toured South Africa.

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