Former Sri Lankan skipper Dinesh Chandimal and Chamara Silva reached personal millstones in the ongoing Major clubs three day cricket tournament . Chandimal the wicket keeper batter of Army SC who is in good form reached the 10,000 run mark at the last three day game against Bloomfield while Police SC experienced batter Chamara Silva reached 15, 000 first class runs in their game against BRC.
Chandimal played his 137 th first class game last week-end scored a superb knock of 152 in 245 balls hitting 10 fours and 8 sixes to reach the millstone of 10,000 runs. This was his 28th first class century with a highest individual score of 354 against Saracens CC in 2020. He has scored an unbeaten 206 against Australia at the last Australian series at Galle in a fighting last wicket stand. Chandimal made his first class debut in August 7, 2009 for SLC Development X1 against New Zealand. At that time he was at Ananda College Colombo scoring heavily during the school season.
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| Chamara Silva reached 15, 0000 first class runs |
Chandimal always likes to play fighting innings. He said “he had a bad patch earlier but his dedication paved the way to continue his career. He was the T-20 Captain when Sri Lanka won the world cup in Bangladesh in 2014. Actually he did not play last two games and Lasith Malinga was the acting skipper in the last two games including the T 20 world cup final at Minpur. I like to play for my team and as well as my country and my dedication is very high. My first coach at Dharmasoka College Ambalangoda Asoka Kumara Gange always gave his blessings while my wife, parents and brothers always encouraged me to go forward. I always prefer to play Test cricket but never wanted to be labelled as a red ball player and I enjoyed all three formats, said Chandimal.He has been included for the Asia Cup 20 member squad and named as the third wicket keeper of the side. I was a National wicket keeper but now most of the time I am very keen to play as a batter. However for the team I always like to give my service. If I will keep the wickets I will find it difficult to bat in the top order. But it’s depend on the match situation and my first priority is for the team's success, said Chandimal .
Meanwhile 42 year right hander Chamara Silva who has completed his milestone of 15, 000 first class runs said he had a target to reach this mark. I maintained fitness and worked hard to achieve this. Actually I completed 15, 000 runs with a century against BRC. Playing first class cricket I really enjoyed. I have completed level three coaching qualification and think about a role of coaching in future. Actually in my 233 first class match I was able to reach my target of 15, 000 runs with a fighting century (111)_which was my 39th first class century. With this century I have a question what’s the standard of our cricket at this moment. Now I am 42 years old and I still can make a century at the first class level. I am playing club cricket now after retiring from International cricket. My last ODI was against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in 2011 and my last Test was against West Indies in 2008 at Post of Spain.
I think we have to think twice about our school cricket. After leaving school the cricketer graduates to club cricket directly. unlike those days. In my personal view school coaches should get more responsibility and I am very concerned about the school coaches. They should develop more and they have to update always. Fitness is very important for the cricketer. The player has to work hard for his fitness and still I am keeping fit, said Chamara Silva who has very powerful 'helicopter shot' to make strokes.
His sweep shots and reverse sweeps always very attractive and school players can learn a lot from a player like Chamara Silva.
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