My team’s victory was more important than my century and I wanted to pass D/L score that time said man of the match Janith Liyanage the latest addition to the Sri Lanka ODI team. Liyanage playing in his second ODI showed his potential to build up his innings. Before this ODI series he played three T20 internationals.
Janith Liyanage a product of St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya now playing for Ragama CC said that we were behind on the run rate in 43rd over. If rain halted the game my effort was to increase the score to pass the D/ L Score. However my shot was not enough to get a boundary and final result I was back in the pavilion just five runs away from my maiden century. But very happy to see our team winning after my great knock. When I came to the middle two wickets down ( Avishka Fernando and Sadeera Samarawickrama) I decided to stay at the wicket to build up long innings and from the start in overcast conditions it was difficult to get runs . However after skipper Kusal Mendis departure I was able to build good partnership with Sahan Arachchige first and then with Maheesh Theekshana said Janith.
I wanted to finish the game and I realised our late order batters also can bat and finally we reached our target with one over to spare. I think Zimbabwe has two good fast bowlers and Richard Ngarava took five wickets and we never underestimated this side. I knew we have good batting line up but we had difficulties in this second game due to weather conditions. I am sure we can play better in next game to win the series and hope our team will put up a better performance said Liyanage the match hero.
I started my cricket from Lalith Athulathmudali MV Mount Lavinia and my first coach was Ravinda Weligoda from that school. Then coach L.H Sunil gave good guidance at St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya where I developed my cricket from grade seven to higher level. Sunil Sir taught more than cricket. How to conduct myself on and off the field. I played four years for under-19 team and finished as Vice Captain and that period Keerthi Gunaratne was my coach who is also present Consultant coach of Ragama CC. Today I start my training with more dedication to focus on National team. My commitment is very high while our team manager Hiran Gunasekara and Roshan Abeysinghe the present International commentator and Thamara Abeyratne the Ragama CC coach President Roshan Iddamalgoda and my teammates give good support for my success said Janith.
When Janith Liyanage made a superb knock his college mate Russal Arnold and Club senior official Roshan Abeysinghe were doing commentaries which was a special occasion for both Russal and Roshan.
I am also a pace bowler and my aim is to give my full effort to the National team as an all rounder. Consistent performance is important to find a permanent place in national team. At this stage my parents and loving wife give good encouragement to go forward on this long journey concluded Liyanage.
Dhammika Ratnaweera