da dobrowin： Thilan Samaraweera became the third Sri Lankan cricketer to make aTest hundred on debut after Romesh Kaluwitharan in 1992/93 and BrendonKuruppu in 1986/87
da bet7： Rex Clementine31-Aug-2001Thilan Samaraweera became the third Sri Lankan cricketer to make aTest hundred on debut after Romesh Kaluwitharan in 1992/93 and BrendonKuruppu in 1986/87.The 24 year old who has been acting as the captain of the Sri Lankan Aside in recent times was delighted with his performance: “I am reallyhappy about getting this hundred.”He also feels that his hard work has finally paid dividends: “In thelast one and half years I have really worked hard on my batting andbowling.”Samaraweera’s was the fourth hundred scored in the Sri Lankan innings.He admits that he never expected to score a hundred: “I just wentthere to get my first Test run. Then at tea I had scored a fifty andafterwards Hashan (Tillakaratne) told me to play positively. When Igot into the 80s and 90s I was really determined.”Samaraweera didn’t get a chance in the first two Test Matches, buthere at SSC he was given a chance and he made most of it: “We playedthe first two Tests with four fast bowlers, but in the end I got thischance to play in my home venue.”Samaraweera is an off spinning allrounder, but failed to make animpression with the ball in the first innings.”I am basically a bowling all-rounder, but once again Murali bowledwell in the first innings. If I can’t do my part with the ball I havegot to do it with the bat” said Samaraweera.Dav Whatmore was fulsome in his praise: “”Thilan has always been astrong-minded cricketer, who gives the impression that he will makethe most of any opportunity given to him. By the sheer weight ofperformance he has forced himself into the side and has yet againgrabbed his chance.”
