Hashan Tillakaratne, a regular member Sri Lanka's powerful batting line-up in the 1990's, is determined to make a comeback to the international scene after two years in the wilderness, having been recalled to the national training squad for the forthcoming triangular series against India and New Zealand and three-match Test series against India in August.
Tillakaratne, who made his international debut more than a decade ago, was a regular member of the Sri Lankan team before the 1999 World Cup in England. But after a disappointing performance by Sri Lanka in that tournament, he was jettisoned, a victim of the radical youth policy adopted thereafter by the national selectors.
He remembers well the day when he was shown the door by the selectors: "I was upset, but the selectors reasoned that they wanted to groom youngsters," says the left-hander, who scored 2972 Test runs at 38.59 in 56 games.
Roshan Mahanama, a long-standing teammate of Tillakaratne's, was also dropped because of the selectors' policy of blooding youngsters. Mahanama immediately decided to retire, but Tillakaratne has now fought his way back on to the verge of the Test team.
"I just didn't want to quit then," said Tillakaratne. "Firstly was because I was still scoring runs and secondly because I still had the desire. I feel sorry for Roshan Mahanama though. Personally, I feel that he should have continued for some more time."
In his last test innings, at the 1999 Asian Test Championship in Bangladesh, he scored an unbeaten fifty. Batting at the pivotal number six position he was one of Sri Lanka's most consistent players.
He is a adhesive accumulator, blessed with strong mental skills and a fine technique, who looks to occupy the crease for a long period time; attributes that Sri Lanka has cried out for the last 12 months. Indeed there were many who felt that he should have played during the recent Test series against England
"I was hoping to play against England, but, unfortunately, I didn't do well in those two four-day games early on in the tour," he says. "I am, however, happy with my form at the present moment in time."
He has been working hard on his game: "I have been talking a lot to Dav Whatmore, Owen Mottau and Rumesh Ratnayake. They've been really encouraging and have helped me change certain aspects of my game."
His inclusion in the 22-man national training squad was always likely after he topped the domestic batting averages with an average in excess of 100. He was the ninth highest run scorer with with 665 runs and scored three centuries, including a marathon 185 against Burgher Recreation Club.
"I still love the game and if you see my statistics, they are pretty good," said Tillakaratne. "It's a privilege to be back training again with the national squad."
Tillakaratne's inclusion in the Test team is by no means assured. It remains to be seen as to whether the selectors are willing to play both Aravinda de Silva and Tillakaratne. If it comes to a choice between the two then De Silva will probably get the nod. If they are looking for a player of temperament, however, to battle it out in the middle order, then they could find few better men than Tillakaratne.
© CricInfo
| Teams | Sri Lanka. |
| Players/Umpires | Hashan Tillakaratne. |
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