Dilshan still up to the test
by Chloe Saltau - (Age newspaper)
Tillakaratne Dilshan considered following Lasith Malinga into
retirement from Test cricket this year, and Australian Big Bash teams
were keen on signing one of the world's most potent short-form batsmen.
Fortunately for Sri Lanka, Dilshan decided to stick around for one more
Test tour of Australia. As much as Sri Lanka would love Malinga to lend
its attack some firepower in the remaining two Tests in Melbourne and
Sydney, the slippery paceman was confined to giving advice to the
touring bowlers in the MCG nets on Friday and a comeback is not on the
cards.
''He's giving some tips,'' Dilshan said. ''He's playing here [for the
Melbourne Stars]. He might know what's happening with the wicket. I
think it's good for the bowlers to hang around with him.
I don't think he is coming back to Test cricket. He wants to play
only one-day and Twenty20s and be 100 per cent fit rather than play five
days. A comeback is good for the side, definitely, but I don't think he
is going to change his mind.'' Dilshan was tempted to join the parade of
short-form specialists after quitting the captaincy and his management
had been in touch with BBL teams. His decision to stick with Tests - at
least until after this tour - has been vindicated with three centuries
in his past four matches including a vital 147 in Hobart. At 36, he will
consider his Test future again after the Australia series. ''Last year
is not many Test matches, two against Bangladesh, two against Zimbabwe
and three against Pakistan, so there was a chance to groom youngsters,''
the opening batsman said.
''One-dayers, definitely I am going to play until 2015. I'm not sure
how long I'm going to play Test cricket. After this series I'm going to
take the decision.
[The Sydney Test] might be my last from out of Sri Lanka. I am
focused this tour, in Australia it's not easy against a great attack and
I always try to take the challenge. I am enjoying every single ball in
the middle, maybe that's why I'm making big runs.'' Dilshan said.
A changing of the guard is imminent in Sri Lankan cricket, with
Thilan Samaraweera indicating this might be his last overseas Test tour
and Mahela Jayawardene to relinquish the captaincy after the series.
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